Recent advances in conjugated microporous polymers for photocatalysis: designs, applications, and prospects

Solar energy is a clean and sustainable energy source. Natural photosynthesis has existed for millions of years, which can convert solar energy into chemical energy needed by living things. Inspired by natural photosynthesis, scientists have developed a series of artificial photosynthetic systems that can use solar energy efficiently for humans. Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) are a new class of materials that can be used in artificial photosynthetic systems. This review illustrates the light-harvesting capability and the energy transfer phenomena within the supramolecular structure of CMPs to provide guidelines for the rational design of these polymers with excellent photocatalytic properties and systematically discusses the applications of these materials in the field of photocatalysis including photocatalytic water splitting, CO2 reduction, organic conversion, environmental remediation, and medical health. Finally, this review points out the major challenges in this topic and suggests the next feasible development direction.