Recent Advances in Conjugated Microporous Polymers for Photocatalysis: Mechanism, Synthesis and Applications

As the global energy crisis intensifies and environmental pollution continues to deteriorate, harnessing solar energy through photocatalytic processes is emerging as a leading strategy to meet energy needs and combat climate crisis. Natural photosynthesis, the oldest and most fundamental photocatalytic system, converts sunlight, water, and CO₂ into useful chemicals that sustain all forms of life. Inspired by this process, a range of artificial photosynthesis systems have been developed to store solar energy in chemical bonds. Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) have gained increasing attention as innovative photocatalysts, owing to their unique properties such as tunable light-harvesting abilities, robust porous architectures, and extended π-conjugated frameworks. This review outlines recent progress in the application of CMPs as photocatalysts, offering a comprehensive and critical analysis. It begins by introducing the evolution, preparation methods, and catalytic mechanisms of CMPs. The application of CMP-based photocatalysis in hydrogen evolution, CO₂ conversion, biomass valorization, and degradation of harmful substances are then described. Finally, future perspectives of CMPs as photocatalysts are presented, highlighting the key challenges and opportunities in their adaptation for solar energy conversion.