Functionalized Covalent Organic Frameworks for Improved Energy Applications

The recent development of synthetic methods for covalent organic frameworks (COFs) has rapidly expanded the COFs family and their potentials in several energy-related applications. Functionalization of COFs is a typical method to achieve the fine-tuning of COFs’ structure for optimizing their performance. In this chapter, we have provided a brief introduction of current methods used for the functionalization of COFs, mainly focusing on the post-synthesis modification including pendant group and skeleton functionalization, linkage functionalization, and host−guest functionalization. Also, some representative results of COFs’ utilizations in various sectors, including electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, energy storage, and conversion devices are discussed, showing the improved performance after functionalization. We discussed how various functionalization of COFs can be used to improve the performance in specific applications. In addition to the design of COFs, their appropriate functionalization can further extend structural flexibility and performance optimization.