Conductive covalent organic polymers for electrocatalytic energy conversion applications

Covalent organic polymers (COPs), quasi-ordered porous network materials synthesized through irreversible chemical bonding, have garnered significant attention in electrocatalytic energy conversion, including fuel cells, electrolytic water systems, and CO2 electrolysis cells. In this article, we have described the key factors that influence the electrocatalytic activity of COPs, including intrinsic conductivity, activity, and mass transfer, along with an overview of recent developments in COPs. In addition, we discuss possible future research directions for improving continuous performance, including controlled construction of high performance active centers for higher current density at high voltage conditions, new processing technologies for membrane electrode assembly to avoid uneven distribution and incomplete exposure of active centers, further exploration of the electrocatalytic mechanism of COPs, and multi-factor analysis tools to track multiple influencing factors across different scales. Such strategies are expected to improve the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity of COPs, overcome challenges in stability, mass transfer, and apparent activity, and promote further research and development of COPs as electrocatalysts.