Polymers give COFs strength and flexibility

Researchers used polymers to give porous crystals strength and flexibility. ↓↓More info and references below↓↓

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are promising materials for applications like water purification and gas separation, and as energy storage materials in batteries and capacitors. But COFs tend to be brittle and difficult to work with, so researchers have explored a variety of ways to improve their mechanical properties. Now, researchers have incorporated polymers into the COF structure, giving the material improved strength and flexibility. The material also bends when it absorbs vapors of organic solvents. The researchers used this behavior to get a small doll made with the material to perform sit-ups when exposed to ethanol vapors.

Read more:

PolyCOFs: A New Class of Freestanding Responsive Covalent Organic Framework Membranes with High Mechanical Performance | ACS Central Science


Tapestry woven from organic threads | C&EN


2-step synthesis yields large 2-D COF crystals | C&EN


Three-dimensional COF crystals keep growing | C&EN


“Super Bubbly” by Jesse Spillane is licensed under CC BY 4.0


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