Engineering Covalent Organic Framework-Based Electrodes and Membranes for Electrochemical and Separation Applications

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are crystalline, porous polymers constructed from organic building blocks linked by covalent bonds. Their ordered structures, tunable pore sizes, high surface areas and chemical versatility make them promising materials for electrochemical energy storage and conversion, separation technologies and environmental applications. COFs can provide defined ion-transport pathways and be integrated with conductive components to improve charge storage, catalytic activity and cycling stability. As membrane materials, they enable molecular sieving, selective ion transport and controlled permeability for applications including water purification, gas separation and proton conduction. However, challenges remain in improving electrical conductivity, mechanical integrity, processability, scalability and long-term stability, while balancing permeability, selectivity and energy efficiency. A clearer understanding of structure–property relationships and transport mechanisms is therefore needed to accelerate the development of practical COF-based devices.This Research Topic aims to bring together recent advances in the design, synthesis, characterisation and application of COF-based electrodes and membranes. It will address how COF topology, pore structure, chemical functionality, crystallinity and integration with complementary materials influence charge transfer, ion and molecular transport, catalytic performance and operational stability. Contributions may also explore strategies for overcoming the limitations of conventional electrode and membrane materials, including poor conductivity, slow transport, structural degradation and permeability–selectivity trade-offs. The Research Topic will provide a platform for evaluating emerging COF-based systems for batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, electrocatalysis, water treatment, gas separation, memristors, solar cells and related energy and environmental technologies.To gather further insights into COF-based electrodes and membranes for energy, electrochemical and separation applications, we welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Rational design, synthesis and functionalisation of COFs• Structure–property relationships and pore-environment engineering• Conductive COFs, composites, hybrids and supported architectures• COF-based electrodes for batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells• Electrocatalysis and electrochemical energy conversion• Ion transport, proton conduction and charge-transfer mechanisms• COF membranes for water purification and contaminant removal• Heavy-metal, organic-pollutant and crude-oil separation• Gas separation, molecular sieving and selective transport• Memristors, photovoltaics and other emerging applications• Mechanical, chemical, thermal and electrochemical stability• Scale-up, processability, device integration and long-term performance• Computational modelling, advanced characterisation and operando analysisWe invite submissions of Original Research Articles, Review Articles, Mini-Reviews, Perspectives and Methods papers. Topic editors: Panagiotis Dallas, Nikolaos Chalmpes Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84817/engineering-covalent-organic-framework-based-electrodes-and-membranes-for-electrochemical-and-separation-applications