Recent advances in single crystal COFs from synthesis to applications
Taewoong Kim1, Jaewon Kim1, Nayeon Kim1
1Department of Chemistry, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea. kimtaewoong0427@gm.gist.ac.kr.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|October 23, 2025
Summary
Synthesizing single-crystal covalent organic frameworks (scCOFs) is challenging but crucial for advanced applications. This review highlights six key strategies for scCOF synthesis and their emerging uses in separation and electronics.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemistry
Background:
- Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are porous polymers with tunable structures and high stability.
- Single-crystal COFs (scCOFs) offer precise characterization and property optimization opportunities.
- scCOF synthesis is challenging due to the delicate balance between nucleation and crystal growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key strategies for synthesizing single-crystal COFs (scCOFs).
- To discuss emerging applications of scCOFs enabled by their structural uniformity.
- To link scCOF structural control to application performance.
Main Methods:
- Survey of six key scCOF synthesis strategies: modulator-controlled growth, template-guided crystallization, interfacial synthesis, linker-directed design, rapid crystallization, and post-synthetic transformation.
- Discussion of scCOF applications in separation, thermal conductivity, catalysis, electronics, and photonics.
Main Results:
- Six distinct strategies for scCOF synthesis are presented.
- scCOFs demonstrate unique advantages in various applications due to their long-range order and structural uniformity.
- The review connects synthesis methods to application-specific performance.
Conclusions:
- Advancements in scCOF synthesis are critical for unlocking their full potential.
- scCOFs offer significant promise in diverse fields, driven by precise structural control.
- This review provides a synthesis-focused overview linking scCOF structure to performance.
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