Synthesis and textural characterization of covalent organic framework-1: Comparison of pore size distribution models

Covalent organic framework-1 (COF-1) has been synthesized and its textural characteristics determined via surface analyzer and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) analysis has also been conducted to determine the types of covalent bonding present in the material. Our customized synthesis procedure yields a COF-1 powder consisting of granular-shaped bulk particles with approximate diameters ranging from 0.5 to 0.8 μm. Results comparison of three established and commonly-used pore size distribution models, namely, Barret-Joyner-Halenda (BJH), Horvath-Kawazoe (HK) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) reveals that the DFT model is the most appropriate model for COF-1 due to limitation of porosity range of the other two models.