Recent advances and perspectives on melamine-based porous organic polymers: A comprehensive review

Melamine-based porous organic polymers (M−POPs) have gained significant attention due to their high nitrogen content, tunable porosity, and robust chemical stability. The triazine-rich framework of melamine not only imparts durability but also introduces abundant active sites for adsorption and catalytic processes. Various polymerization strategies, including Schiff-base condensation, nucleophilic substitution, and Friedel-Crafts reactions, have been employed to tailor the structural and functional diversity of M−POPs. Owing to their high surface areas and versatile pore structure, these materials have demonstrated excellent performance in environmental applications, particularly in water purification, where they effectively remove dyes, heavy metals, and other organic pollutants. In addition, their nitrogen-rich networks facilitate strong interactions with gases such as CO₂, making them promising candidates for gas capture and separation. Recent advances also highlight their potential in heterogeneous catalysis, photocatalysis, and electrochemical energy storage, where structural modification and functionalization further enhance selectivity and stability. This review summarizes recent progress in the synthesis, characterization, and multifunctional applications of M−POPs, with emphasis on their role as sustainable materials for environmental remediation and energy-related technologies. The growing versatility of M−POPs underscores their potential as next-generation porous frameworks for addressing global environmental and industrial challenges.