Dual-Bridged Porphyrin-Based Covalent Organic Framework with Integrated Specific Fluorescent Recognition and
Xingzhen Li1,2, Dan Lin2, Abdulkareem Qasem1,2
1Department of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
ACS Nano
|July 2, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a novel double-bridged porphyrin-based covalent organic framework (COF) for sensitive Cu2+ detection and ultrahigh adsorption. This functional COF material offers a promising strategy for environmental remediation and chemical sensing applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are promising materials for environmental applications due to their tunable structures and properties.
- Existing COFs often struggle with specificity in metal ion coordination, limiting their use in accurate detection.
- Porphyrin-based COFs offer unique electronic and structural properties for advanced material design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a novel double-bridged porphyrin-based COF (Tp-PDA-COF) with enhanced specificity for metal ion recognition.
- To investigate the fluorescence properties of the designed COF for sensitive detection of Cu2+ ions.
- To develop a Tp-PDA-COF aerogel for efficient and high-capacity adsorption of Cu2+ from aqueous solutions.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a double-bridged porphyrin-based COF using 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin (TAPP) and double-bridging monomers.
- Characterization of the 2D tetragonal topological structure and fluorescence properties of the Tp-PDA-COF.
- Incorporation of poly(vinyl alcohol) to form a fluorescent Tp-PDA-COF aerogel.
- Detection of Cu2+ using fluorescence chromaticity changes and measurement of adsorption capacity.
Main Results:
- The designed Tp-PDA-COF exhibited a specific coordination recognition for Cu2+ ions, enabling sensitive detection.
- A low detection limit of 40.76 nM for Cu2+ was achieved through obvious fluorescence chromaticity changes.
- The Tp-PDA-COF aerogel demonstrated an ultrahigh adsorption capacity for Cu2+ of 1902 mg/g.
- The optimized topology and electronic structure of the COF facilitated effective capture and recognition of Cu2+.
Conclusions:
- The double-bridged porphyrin-based COF provides a robust platform for selective metal ion sensing.
- The Tp-PDA-COF aerogel shows significant potential for efficient removal of Cu2+ from contaminated water.
- This work presents a valuable structural design strategy for developing functional COFs with tailored recognition and adsorption capabilities.
