Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
08:42
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
Hypergolic Copper Cluster-Based Covalent Organic Frameworks
Yu-Zhou Qiao1, Cai Li1, Wen-Yang Jiao1
1Key Laboratory of Special Functional Molecular Materials (Zhengzhou University), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a novel covalent organic framework (COF) for advanced propulsion. This new hypergolic material combines rapid ignition with high energy density, paving the way for next-generation rocket fuels.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemistry
- Aerospace Engineering
Background:
- Developing hypergolic materials with rapid ignition and high energy density is crucial for advanced propulsion systems.
- Current hypergolic materials often face trade-offs between ignition speed and energy content.
- Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) offer a versatile platform for designing multifunctional materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To create a novel covalent organic framework (COF) with synergistic hypergolic performance.
- To integrate catalytic centers and high-energy units within a single framework for enhanced propulsion applications.
- To establish a rational design strategy for functionalized hypergolic framework materials.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized a COF using trinuclear copper clusters as nodes and carborane building blocks.
- Utilized copper clusters as both structural components and catalytic centers for framework formation and linker activation.
- Investigated hypergolic performance with high-test peroxide as the oxidizer.
- Performed theoretical simulations to understand interfacial interactions and reaction mechanisms.
Main Results:
- The synthesized COF exhibited rapid ignition with an ignition delay time of 40 ms.
- The carborane cages within the COF imparted a high energy density of 25.9 kJ g-1.
- Theoretical simulations confirmed strong interactions and low reaction barriers between the COF and oxidizer, validating the synergistic design.
Conclusions:
- The developed COF demonstrates a successful synergistic enhancement of hypergolic performance.
- This work presents a rational design strategy for constructing advanced hypergolic framework materials.
- The findings contribute to the development of next-generation propulsion technologies through tailored material design.
Related Concept Videos
02:18Network Covalent Solids
Network covalent solids contain a three-dimensional network of covalently bonded atoms as found in the crystal structures of nonmetals like diamond, graphite, silicon, and some covalent compounds, such as silicon dioxide (sand) and silicon carbide (carborundum, the abrasive on sandpaper). Many minerals have networks of covalent bonds.
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
To break or to melt a covalent network solid, covalent bonds must be broken. Because covalent bonds are relatively strong, covalent network solids are typically...
01:23Properties of Organometallic Compounds
Organometallic compounds are compounds that contain a carbon–metal bond. Carbon belongs to an organyl group like alkyl, aryl, allyl, or benzyl groups. The metal can be from Group I or Group II of the periodic table, a transition metal, or a semimetal.
02:51Metal-Ligand Bonds
The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
02:46Covalent Bonding and Lewis Structures
Compared to ionic bonds, which results from the transfer of electrons between metallic and nonmetallic atoms, covalent bonds result from the mutual attraction of atoms for a “shared” pair of electrons.
01:29Covalent Bonds
When two atoms share electrons to complete their valence shells they create a covalent bond. An atom’s electronegativity—the force with which shared electrons are pulled towards an atom—determines how the electrons are shared. Molecules formed with covalent bonds can be either polar or nonpolar. Atoms with similar electronegativities form nonpolar covalent bonds; the electrons are shared equally. Atoms with different electronegativities share electrons unequally, creating polar bonds.A Covalent...
01:08Covalent Bonds
Overview
When two atoms share electrons to complete their valence shells, they create a covalent bond. An atom's electronegativity—the force with which shared electrons are pulled towards an atom—determines how the electrons are shared. Molecules formed with covalent bonds can be either polar or nonpolar. Atoms with similar electronegativities form nonpolar covalent bonds; the electrons are shared equally. Atoms with different electronegativities share electrons unequally, creating polar bonds.
When two atoms share electrons to complete their valence shells, they create a covalent bond. An atom's electronegativity—the force with which shared electrons are pulled towards an atom—determines how the electrons are shared. Molecules formed with covalent bonds can be either polar or nonpolar. Atoms with similar electronegativities form nonpolar covalent bonds; the electrons are shared equally. Atoms with different electronegativities share electrons unequally, creating polar bonds.