Porous Organic Polymers: From Molecular Design to Scalable Technologies

For over twenty years, porous organic polymers (POPs) have emerged as promising candidates for a wide range of applications, including energy storage, gas sorption, catalysts, adsorbents, biomedical applications, sensors, and other exciting fields. The ability to fine-tune pore function through pre- or post-synthesis modification enables selective interaction with target molecules, making these materials very effective for all of the mentioned applications. This review offers a critical, up-to-date analysis of emerging strategies for the synthesis and post-synthesis modification of POPs, highlighting how structural topology and chemical composition affect performance. The goal is to offer a comprehensive understanding of their scope and strategic uses. We categorize recent advances in polymeric and composite POP architectures, discuss the relationship between fabrication pathways and material functionality, and highlight the challenges that hinder their transition from laboratory discovery to scalable technologies. Additionally, we explore emerging applications, along with associated challenges and limitations, to guide future research. By connecting the fabrication processes with the performance of porous organic polymers, we can deepen our understanding of ongoing challenges and clarify future research directions.