Covalent Organic Frameworks for Ion Conduction

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are an emerging class of crystalline porous materials constructed by the precise reticulation of organic building blocks through dynamic covalent bonds. Due to their facile preparation, easy modulation and functionalization, COFs have been considered as a powerful platform for engineering molecular devices in various fields, such as catalysis, energy storage and conversion, sensing, and bioengineering. Particularly, the highly ordered pores in the backbones with controlled pore size, topology, and interface property provide ideal pathways for the long-term ion conduction. Herein, we summarized the latest progress of COFs as solid ion conductors in energy devices, especially lithium-based batteries and fuel cells. The design strategies and performance in terms of transporting lithium ions, protons, and hydroxide anions are systematically illustrated. Finally, the current challenges and future research directions on COFs in energy devices are proposed, laying the groundwork for greater achievements for this emerging material.