Exploring Three-Dimensional Porphyrin-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks with Outstanding Solar Energy Conversion
Jiaqi Guo1, Yunyu Guo1, Mingxuan Zhang2
1State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry and International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, P. R. China.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|August 12, 2025
Summary
Researchers synthesized novel 3D porphyrin-based covalent organic frameworks (COFs) for enhanced solar energy conversion. These materials demonstrate superior solar-to-chemical and solar-to-thermal performance, paving the way for advanced photosensitizers.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Renewable Energy
Background:
- Porous aromatic polymers, specifically porphyrin-based covalent organic frameworks (COFs), are recognized for their unique electronic properties and diverse applications.
- Three-dimensional (3D) COFs with exposed porphyrin cores in ordered nanochannels show significant potential for solar energy conversion.
- Synthesizing 3D porphyrin-based COFs is challenging due to limitations in topotactic designs and building blocks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a series of 3D porphyrin-based COFs with a 2-fold lvt-b topology.
- To investigate the impact of 3D architecture on light harvesting and guest-active center interactions.
- To evaluate the photoresponsive characteristics and solar energy conversion efficiencies of the synthesized COFs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of 3D porphyrin-based COFs (3D Por-An-COFs) with a specific topology.
- Characterization of the 3D architecture and porphyrin unit alignment.
- Performance evaluation in interfacial water evaporation and thermoelectric generation.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis of 3D Por-An-COFs with a 2-fold lvt-b topology.
- Periodic alignment of porphyrin units within conjugated backbones, enhancing light harvesting.
- Demonstrated superior solar-to-chemical and solar-to-thermal conversion capabilities.
- Achieved a high water evaporation rate of 1.64 kg m⁻² h⁻¹ and an output voltage of 195 mV in a thermoelectric device.
Conclusions:
- The study expands the structural diversity of 3D porphyrin-based COFs for photoenergy applications.
- The findings elucidate dimensionality-dependent photoresponsive behaviors in these materials.
- Provides insights for developing advanced porphyrin-based photosensitizers for various applications.
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