3D Printing of Covalent Organic Frameworks: A Microfluidic‐Based System to Manufacture Binder‐Free Macroscopic Monoliths

• Published in: Advanced functional materials Vol. 34; no. 17
• Main Authors: Royuela, Sergio, Sevim, Semih, Hernanz, Guillermo, Rodríguez‐San‐Miguel, David, Fischer, Peter, Franco, Carlos, Pané, Salvador, Puigmartí‐Luis, Josep, Zamora, Félix
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.04.2024
• Subjects: Microfluidic devices; Room temperature; Three dimensional printing
• ISSN: 1616-301X; 1616-3028
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202314634

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have witnessed outstanding developments in the past 15 years, particularly in optimizing their pore structures, linkages, and variety of monomers used in their synthesis. Yet, a significant challenge remains unaddressed: the processability of COFs into macroscopic architectures with arbitrary shapes, as they are typically obtained as unprocessable powders. This study presents a novel strategy to address this issue by developing a 3D printable ink comprising a colloidal water suspension of COF nanoparticles. A microfluidic device is engineered that provides precise control over the gelation process of the COF‐based ink, allowing for a layer‐by‐layer fabrication. As a result, the direct production of large‐scale binder‐free COF architectures from digital designs is achieved at room temperature and atmospheric pressure while eliminating the use of toxic organic solvents.