Chiral Covalent Organic Framework Films with Enhanced Photoelectrical Performances

The desirable superimposed stacking of two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs) benefits out-of-plane charge transfer, whereas the actual stacking deviation cannot leverage the potential of 2D COFs for optoelectrical applications. Herein, we report a chirality-induced strategy to control the parallel AA-stacking sequence for the β-ketoenamine-linked COF film supported on a FTO substrate. The resulting chiral modules are periodically distributed at the framework node, ensuring identical mirrored configurations of layers for parallel stacking. Such unique architectonics exhibit the prolonged charge carrier lifetime, fast charge-transfer dynamics, and ultrahigh electron collection efficiency, thereby allowing for the excellent photocurrent response of 38 μA/cm² at 0.25 V (vs RHE). The origin of superior performances lies in the intensified exciton gradient distribution and electron density for photoinduced electron-hole dissociation and charge transfer, in stark contrast to achiral analogues. This study highlights the stacking sequence regulated by chiral nanoarchitectonics and promises great potential of chiral COFs in photoelectrical catalysis.