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2D Piezoelectric Covalent Organic Frameworks: Construction, Characterization, and Potential Applications

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

Abstract

2D piezoelectric covalent organic frameworks (2D p-COFs) represent a transformative class of materials merging structural precision, symmetry breaking, dynamic covalent chemistry, and electromechanical functionality. Unlike inorganic piezoelectrics (e.g., ZnO, perovskites) or conventional polymers, 2D p-COFs leverage their atomically ordered, noncentrosymmetric architectures to achieve efficient mechanical-to-electrical energy conversion while offering tunable structure, permanent porosity, and stability. Given the successful examples set by fluoropolymer-based energy harvesters, grafting fluorine-substituted alkyl chains onto COFs can facilitate dipole alignment and generate net spontaneous polarization, thereby inducing piezoelectricity. Recent advances in synthesis—fluorinated side-chain functionalization and hybrid system designs—have enabled large piezoelectric coefficients and high open-circuit voltages in nanogenerators. This review delves into the core principles of piezoelectricity, construction methodologies, the characterization of distinctive properties, and the burgeoning applications of 2D p-COFs in energy harvesting, catalysis, and sensing, while also facing challenges associated with scalability and stability. © 2025 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere202500148
Number of pages14
JournalChemPhysChem
Volume26
Issue number19
Online published11 Aug 2025
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Oct 2025

Funding

Q. Z. acknowledges the financial support from the City University of Hong Kong (9380117 and 7020089) and the Hong Kong Branch of the National Precious Metals Material Engineering Research Center (NPMM), Hong Kong, P.R. China. Q. Z. thanks the funding support from the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF, ITS/322/22; GHP/335/22SZ), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC, 22475183), the project supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, China (2025A1515011125), and the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (JCYJ20240813153135046).

Research Keywords

  • 2D COFs
  • d33
  • energy harvesting
  • PFM
  • piezoelectrics

Publisher's Copyright Statement

  • COPYRIGHT TERMS OF DEPOSITED POSTPRINT FILE: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Gu, Q., Lu, X., Qin, W., & Zhang, Q. (2025). 2D Piezoelectric Covalent Organic Frameworks: Construction, Characterization, and Potential Applications. ChemPhysChem, 26(19), Article e202500148, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/cphc.202500148.
  • This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.

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