Insights into sensing applications of fluorescent covalent organic frameworks

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), as meticulously designed porous crystalline materials, have garnered significant interdisciplinary attention. Notably, extensive efforts have been directed towards creating fluorescent COFs by strategically integrating fluorophores, optimized conjugated structures, and exploring diverse topologies, utilizing luminescent mechanisms like aggregation-induced emission and intramolecular charge transfer. With stable covalent linkages, large specific surface areas, and abundant active sites, fluorescent COFs stand out as excellent candidates for sensing application. This review presents a thorough overview of chemical and biosensors based on fluorescent COFs, categorized by analytes, with a focus on recent advancements in sensing principles and performance. The review concludes by outlining challenges and opportunities in this field, aiming to guide material design for sensing applications and stimulate exploration into novel analyte implementations.