Reticular Frameworks for Advanced Polymer Materials

This review article aims to explore the innovative applications of reticular frameworks (RFs), particularly metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, and hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks, for the development of advanced polymers. RFs, characterized by their crystalline porous structures and tunable properties, have significant advantages in polymer production and functionalization, improving their synthetic efficiency, structural regularity, stability, conductivity, mechanical properties, and overall performance through a combination of structural characteristics. Ordered nanopores in RFs act as structural scaffolds, guiding polymerization with spatial precision and enabling control over polymer structures and arrangement. RFs exhibit exceptional potential for macromolecular recognition and separation, affording scalable platforms for highly selective polymer processing and purification. Synergistic coupling of reticular chemistry with polymer engineering opens new avenues for the design of next-generation functional materials. Herein, recent developments in the synthesis of polymers in RFs, the separations and recognitions of polymers by RFs, and RF-polymer hybrids are evaluated, which further present a forward-looking perspective. The rapid progress in this field has led to breakthroughs in both fundamental science and materials applications, promoting future investigations to expand their potential in creating advanced polymer materials.