Analytical Letters, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Covalent organic frameworks have gained prominence as highly versatile materials due to their customizable porosity, structural robustness, and functional adaptability. These characteristics have spurred the development of COF-based hybrid materials for addressing high-impact environmental challenges. This review discusses the recent advances in using COF hybrids as pioneering probes for detecting toxic heavy metal ions and as catalytic agents for degrading persistent azo dyes. Highlighting the breakthroughs in material synthesis, functionalization, and application, we showcase how COF hybrids achieve unparalleled sensitivity, selectivity, and efficiency in heavy metal detection. Additionally, COFs play a pivotal role in the degradation of azo dyes, offering sustainable solutions for water pollution mitigation. Basic mechanisms, challenges, and future research directions are explored, providing a comprehensive as well as critical perspective on this novel and most advanced field of material sciences applied in analytical chemistry. By bridging fundamental science with environmental applications, this review aims to inspire innovative strategies for leveraging COF hybrids to combat global pollution.