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Updated: May 26, 2026

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
Simultaneous Deep Protonation and Twist Modulation in Individual Covalent Organic Frameworks for Boosting
Yang Liu1,2, Yifei Tan1, Quan Wu1
1School of Nuclear Science & Technology, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, P. R. China.
Chloroacetic acid (MCA) forms a unique complex with covalent organic frameworks (COFs), significantly boosting their photocatalytic activity for applications like radioactive iodine capture.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Photocatalysis
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) show potential as photocatalysts.
- Enhancing COF performance requires better light absorption and reduced electron-hole recombination.
- Strategies include postprotonation and conformational changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction of chloroacetic acid (MCA) with COF-300 at the single-particle level.
- To understand how this interaction affects COF photocatalytic activity.
- To explore the application of modified COFs in radioactive iodine capture.
Main Methods:
- In situ liquid-phase dark-field optical microscopy (DFM) for real-time imaging.
- Single-particle photocatalytic imaging.
- Ensemble characterizations and theoretical calculations.
Main Results:
- MCA forms a highly protonated and twisted host-guest complex (MCA@COF-300) with COF-300.
- This complex exhibits significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to interactions with other acids.
- The MCA@COF-300 complex improves visible light absorption and charge separation, boosting photocatalysis.
- MCA@COF-300 effectively captures radioactive 131I- from aqueous solutions.
Conclusions:
- The formation of deep protonation and twist modulation in MCA@COF-300 is key to enhanced photocatalysis.
- This study provides insights into COF photocatalysis mechanisms.
- MCA@COF-300 demonstrates potential for environmental remediation applications.
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