Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and COFs-based hybrid architectonics: A promising material platform for organic micropollutants detection and removal from wastewater

Abstract

The unprecedented rise in organic micropollutants (OMPs) owing to the rapid globalization and industrialization has inevitably resulted in the demand for OMPs detection and removal from wastewater. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are crystalline porous materials synthesized via reticular bottom-up technique from the interpenetrated pre-designed symmetric units with distinct covalent structural properties. Multifaceted organic building blocks and numerous covalent bonds for COF preparation render them with captivating tailored functionalities. These properties have equipped the COF with an inclusive range of essential applications, viz., gas/energy storage, molecular adsorption, optoelectricity, biomedical, catalysis, and sensing. The present review primarily focused on the significant advancement in the structure, properties, synthesis and application for OMPs sensing and removal from wastewater. Noteworthy, the structure, synthesis, development, and properties of COFs were addressed. In addition, COFs' detection limits, the role of functionalities, and immobilized nanoparticles are reviewed for the existence of OMPs sensing in the contaminated water. Also, the notable shift of the COFs from adsorption to fast and efficient foam-based adsorption along with membrane-based separation and photocatalysis is also covered. The stability and reusability of COFs-based nano-architectonics are also conversed. Lastly, the review summarizes the perspective and limitations for future progress in this research area is also proposed.