Covalent Organic Frameworks for the Capture and Photoluminescent Sensing of Pharmaceutical Pollutants in Aqueous Media

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as promising materials for the capture and photoluminescent detection of pharmaceutical contaminants in aquatic environments due to their tunable porosity, high surface area, and structural versatility. This review summarizes recent advances in pristine COFs and COF-based hybrid materials for water treatment, focusing on both the adsorption and photoluminescent sensing of pharmaceutical pollutants. The influence of framework design, linkage type, and functionalization on adsorption performance and selectivity is discussed, together with the main interaction mechanisms involved. In addition, recent developments in photoluminescent COFs for sensitive and rapid drug detection are highlighted. Attention is given to dual-function materials capable of simultaneous capture and detection, which represent an emerging strategy for efficient water remediation. Finally, current challenges related to stability, selectivity, and real-world applicability are outlined, providing perspectives for the design of next-generation COF-based systems.