Capillary forces in nanochannels of two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks during water sorption

Two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs) have been widely applied in liquid environments, where capillary forces inevitably arise when the well-defined nanochannels of 2D COFs contact liquids. These capillary forces may induce changes in pore size, surface area, and crystalline structure, thus altering the functions of 2D COFs. Therefore, it is crucial to understand capillary forces and their effects within 2D COF nanochannels. However, studies on this topic are still limited. A research team led by Professor Zhao Dan, Chief Principal Investigator from the Energy and Environmental Nanotech Research Platform of NUSRI Suzhou, has investigated capillary forces using water sorption as an example in three 2D COFs, which share identical backbones and pore sizes yet feature different side groups. This study is the first to analyse capillary forces in the nanochannels of 2D COFs, providing insights into their interactions with liquids and highlighting their potential applications. The results were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

△Capillary forces in nanochannels of two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks during water sorption