Triazine-Based Porous Organic Polymer Electrocatalysts: Utility and Design Strategy

In search of highly efficient electrocatalysts for fuel cells, metal-air batteries, and the conversion of CO₂ to value-added products, researchers have increasingly turned to porous organic polymers (POPs) due to their tunable structures, high surface areas, and potential for incorporating catalytically active sites. The inherent modularity of POPs enables precise functionalization through the incorporation of heteroatoms, metal complexes, single atoms, and conductive additives, which can be tailored to optimize electronic and catalytic activity. Furthermore, the permanent porosity of these materials facilitates mass transport and reactant accessibility, which are critical for achieving high catalytic efficiency. The review discusses the underlying structure-activity relationships that govern POP's behavior under electrochemical conditions, as well as the current challenges associated with their conductivity, stability, and scalability. By analyzing both experimental and computational insights, critical design principles were outlined, and future directions for the development of POP-based electrocatalysts were proposed.