Covalent Organic Frameworks for Biomedical Applications

Esrafili, A; Wagner, A; Inamdar, S; Acharya, AP

Abstract

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are porous organic polymeric materials that are composed of organic elements and linked together by the thermodynamically stable covalent bonds. The applications of COFs in energy sector and drug delivery are afforded because of the desirable properties of COFs, such as high stability, low density, large surface area, multidimensionality, porosity, and high-ordered crystalline structure expanded. In this review COFs are reviewed, from the perspective of different types of reported COFs, different methods for their synthesis, and their potential applications in the biomedical field. The main goal of this review is to introduce COFs as a biomaterial and to identify specific advantages of different types of COFs that can be exploited for specialized biomedical applications, such as immune engineering.

Keywords: biocompatibility; biodegradable COFs; biomaterials; COFs; drug delivery

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Covalent Organic Framework (COF) Materials

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are crystalline porous materials composed of organic molecules connected by covalent bonds. They feature a high degree of structural controllability, adjustable pore size, and surface functionalization, and have broad application potential in the biomedical field. First, COFs can be used for the storage and release of drug molecules due to their unique pore structure. By regulating the pore size and surface properties of COFs, selective adsorption and controlled release of drug molecules can be achieved, thereby improving the bioavailability and efficacy of the drug. Secondly, COFs can also be used in the preparation of biosensors. Immobilizing biological recognition molecules (such as antibodies, enzymes, etc.) on the surface of COFs can achieve highly sensitive detection of biological molecules. This kind of COFs-based biosensor has broad application prospects in medical diagnosis, disease monitoring, etc. In addition, COFs can also serve as carriers for biomedical imaging agents. By embedding fluorescent dyes or radioactive isotopes into the structure of COFs, highly sensitive imaging of biological tissues can be achieved, contributing to early diagnosis and treatment monitoring of diseases.