Reticular chemistry within three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks for multiple applications

Abstract

Compared with two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs), three-dimensional (3D) COFs have significant advantages, such as larger specific surface areas, complex interconnected structures, and fully accessible active sites, which have aroused extensive interest of researchers. With the rapid development of various 3D COFs, they exhibit great application prospects in many fields, including but not limited to gas storage and separation, catalysis, fluorescence, batteries, conductivity, and drug delivery. Herein, we summarize the advances in the rational design and synthesis of 3D COFs guided by reticular chemistry and topology to explore potential unexploited structures and provide an overview of recent progress in their multifunctional applications, aiming to expand the potential of 3D COFs in practical applications.