The effect of disorder in multi-component covalent organic frameworks

Abstract The discovery of 2-dimensional (2D) covalent organic framework (COF) solid solutions enables the engineering of pore sizes as a function of linker ratio. However, how the components are distributed within the COF lattice may determine the degree of control over porosity for targeted applications. Here, we examined the effect of linker distribution on three multi-component COFs containing linkers that differ in length. We looked at how two different types of linker distribution affect the pore size and shape within single-layers of the COF: (i) randomly distributed linkers and (ii) when there is some correlation between the linker distribution. We were able to reveal a relationship between linker distribution and the properties seen in COF solid solutions. Moreover, the method used to produce the disordered structures presented in this paper is generalisable and could be used in further studies to examine the properties of disordered COFs.