Synthesis of Metal Organic Frameworks (MOF) and Covalent Organic Frameworks (COF)

Since the very beginning, nature has demonstrated its ability to create complex systems with advance functions from atomic-level assembly. Gaining inspiration from nature, an enormous progress has been achieved in constructing crystalline porous material frameworks like metal organic framework (MOF) and covalent organic framework (COF) with predetermined topologies, large surface areas, tunable pore sizes and functionalities. They provide many key features required in industrial applications, like high surface area, uniform nanoporosity, interconnected pore/channel system, accessible pore volume, high adsorption capacity and shape/size selectivity. These features make them an ideal material for gas storage and separation (such as H2, CH4, CO2). In fact, having superior crystallinity, porosity and stability relative to other porous materials, MOFs and COFs affirm their candidature for a wide range of applications. This chapter gives a brief background of porous materials and their classification, followed by a discussion on MOFs, COFs and their properties. The subsequent section includes design and synthesis strategies followed by a detailed discussion related to their applications in various frontline areas.