Photocatalysts Based on Covalent Organic Frameworks

Abstract

In light of the daily increase in energy demand, finding a clean and sustainable energy source became a new challenge for scientists. Photocatalysis is one of the alternatives for using solar energy instead of fossil fuels. From the first introduction of COFs by Yaghi in 2005 different studies were made to investigate their potential properties. Separation and purification, drug delivery, protein enrichment, and catalysis are examples of COFs applications. In recent years, their application in photocatalysis has come to attention regarding the use of solar energy as a renewable source of energy. Predesignable channel-like structure, high thermal and chemical stability, large surface area, and the π-conjugated structure deserve COFs to be good photocatalysts. Despite all the properties, COFs represent a broad range of visible-light absorption. COFs show promising activity toward photocatalytic organic synthesis, CO2 reduction, dye degradation, and water splitting. In this chapter, the photocatalytic activity of different classes of COFs was reviewed and discussed in detail.