Covalently Linked Porous Structures: COFs and POPs for Advanced Emulsion Separation and Purification

ABSTRACT The separation and purification of emulsions pose significant challenges in environmental and industrial processes because of the complex, surfactant‐stabilized nature of oily waste streams. Covalently linked porous materials, such as covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and porous organic polymers (POPs), have emerged as promising solutions thanks to their tunable pore structures, low density, and versatile surface chemistry. This review explores COFs and POPs as platforms for emulsion separation and purification, examining mechanisms such as selective wettability, capillary action, and antifouling behavior. COFs provide ordered channels and molecular precision, while POPs offer synthetic diversity and scalability in membrane design. Key studies demonstrate how intrinsic porosity and interfacial functionality influence performance. Overall, COFs and POPs are more than just porous materials; they represent programmable interfaces with great potential for advanced emulsion purification technologies.