3D Interlocking Metallo-COFs as a Visible Light Responsive Photocatalyst

Woven covalent organic frameworks (COFs) offer immense potential as photoactive materials because Cu(I) complexes are periodically integrated into the COF structure via a single synthetic step. A photoactive interlocking (woven) COF featuring Cu(I) photosensitizers that are spatially isolated and periodically arranged in three dimensions has been successfully synthesized and characterized. The optoelectronic properties of this COF, such as light absorption and photocatalytic performance toward the degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) under visible light, are investigated. The reusability and stability of this COF are compared with the Cu(PDB)₂BF₄ complex which displayed rapid deactivation and is not reusable. Conversely, The metallo-COF is stable over several catalytic cycles, highlighting a distinct advantage of the stabilizing effects of the COF over discrete molecules.