General protocols for the direct synthesis of 2D-COFs based on two main types of reversible chemistry, which were already reported in the literature, were first addressed in order to improve their yield and reproducibility, also on other building-blocks. The focus was also put on making our approach simple and compatible with additional experiments or techniques, for the sake of better characterization of the materials produced. CustomCOF succeeded at developing a novel an d more efficient protocol for the on-surface synthesis of 2D-COFs.
In a second phase of the project, we went one step beyond in complexity and attempted to reach additional control over the process and final product by splitting the polymerization reaction in two distinct steps. This task proved to be very challenging. We could however collect important data and information, which will be extremely useful in the future to design a new strategy to fulfill the goal of separating the process in individual well-controlled steps.
Next, CustomCOF successfully addressed the functionalization of the previously synthesized 2D materials and produced more robust versions of them.
Finally, most of our efforts were invested in controlling the polymerization degree and morphology of the developed materials. For the first time, state-of-the-art nanomanipulation techniques were applied to COF materials. Two different strategies were investigated. The first one attempted to obtain customized 2D-COFs using scanning tunneling microscopy lithography. In the second one, the supports used to template the synthesis of 2D-COFs are previously modified. We were very excited to see that we were successful in producing well-defined 2D-oligomers. Research is still ongoing and targets the fully characterization of these materials, including applications.
