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Updated: May 16, 2026
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Microfluidic-based Synthesis of Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs): A Tool for Continuous Production of COF Fibers and Direct Printing on a Surface
Published on: July 10, 2017
Single crystal covalent organic frameworks
Yongzhi Chen1, Zhihao Zhang1, Donglin Jiang1
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117543, Singapore. chmjd@nus.edu.sg.
Chemical Society Reviews
|May 14, 2026
Summary
This review explores synthesizing single crystal covalent organic frameworks (COFs). It details strategies to control COF structure and function, overcoming challenges in creating these advanced porous materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Crystallography
Background:
- Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are versatile crystalline porous polymers with structure-dependent functions.
- COF synthesis involves complex physicochemical processes, leading to challenges in precise structural control, especially for single crystals.
- Polycrystalline COFs are common, but single crystal COFs offer unique properties yet remain scarce and difficult to synthesize.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current strategies and methodologies for designing and synthesizing single crystal COFs.
- To scrutinize polymerization, nucleation, and crystallization mechanisms to identify key control parameters.
- To correlate structure-property relationships and compare single crystal COFs with polycrystalline COFs.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing strategies for single crystal COF synthesis.
- Analysis of polymerization, nucleation, and crystallization mechanisms in COF formation.
- Comparative study of properties and functions between polycrystalline and single crystal COFs.
Main Results:
- The complexity of COF synthesis hinders precise structural control, limiting single crystal COF diversity and accessibility.
- Key control parameters for polymerization, nucleation, and crystallization are identified.
- Structural integrity significantly impacts the performance and functions of COFs.
Conclusions:
- Advancing single crystal COF synthesis requires a deeper understanding of underlying mechanisms.
- Future research should focus on developing scalable and accessible methods for single crystal COF production.
- This review provides a framework for innovation and implementation of single crystal COFs.
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