Technological breakthroughs

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi in recognition of their foundational contributions to the development of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). These advanced materials are capable of efficiently adsorbing and storing gases such as carbon dioxide and hydrogen, while also opening up new pathways in environmental remediation, clean energy, and climate change adaptation.

Honouring MOFs is not only a recognition of an outstanding scientific achievement, but also reflects an increasingly clear trend in modern science: the pursuit of material-based solutions that can directly address global challenges related to climate change, resource scarcity, and sustainable development.

What are MOFs and why are they considered a breakthrough material

MOFs can be envisioned as microscopic sponges with extremely porous three-dimensional crystalline structures. They are composed of metal ions or metal clusters that act as connecting nodes, linked together by long and rigid organic molecules to form a nanoscale network of empty spaces. It is precisely this structure that gives MOFs their enormous internal surface area, far exceeding that of traditional porous materials.

With only a few grams of MOF powder, the internal surface area can be equivalent to that of a football field. As a result, MOFs are regarded as some of the most porous solid materials ever known. This remarkable property enables them to adsorb large quantities of gas molecules or water vapour, even when these substances are present at very low concentrations.

Unlike many earlier porous materials with fixed structures, MOFs allow scientists to actively design their architecture at the molecular level. By selecting appropriate central metals and organic ligands, it is possible to tailor pore size, polarity, thermal stability, and chemical affinity. This transforms MOFs into a highly flexible materials platform that can be engineered on demand for specific applications.

The scientific journey toward modern MOFs

The development of MOFs is the result of decades of research in coordination chemistry and materials science. Richard Robson was among the first to propose the idea of constructing three-dimensional crystalline frameworks from metal ions and organic ligands. However, early structures lacked sufficient stability and were difficult to apply in real-world conditions.

Susumu Kitagawa made crucial contributions by demonstrating that such frameworks could be both highly porous and mechanically robust, while allowing gas molecules to enter and exit in a controlled manner. His work helped establish that MOFs were not merely aesthetically pleasing crystallographic structures, but genuinely functional materials.

Omar M. Yaghi elevated the field further by developing a systematic and predictable design strategy. This approach enabled the creation of thousands of different MOF structures, each optimised for a specific task such as CO₂ adsorption, hydrogen storage, or selective molecular separation.

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), as illustrated in this model, are capable of trapping smaller molecules within their large structural frameworks.
Photo: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP via Getty Images.

MOFs and the challenge of carbon capture

One of the most widely studied applications of MOFs is the capture of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas driving climate change. Thanks to their large surface area and tunable selectivity, MOFs can adsorb CO₂ more efficiently than many conventional materials.

In particular, MOFs have the potential to reduce both cost and energy consumption in processes that capture CO₂ from industrial exhaust gases or directly from the atmosphere. Some MOF structures are designed to preferentially adsorb CO₂ even at very low concentrations, while allowing its release at lower temperatures during material regeneration. This is a key factor in making carbon capture technologies economically viable.

The role of MOFs in hydrogen storage and energy transition

In addition to CO₂, MOFs play an important role in hydrogen storage, a clean energy carrier expected to replace part of fossil fuel consumption in the future. One of the greatest challenges of the hydrogen economy is storing and transporting hydrogen safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively.

MOFs enable hydrogen to be stored within nanoscale pores at high density, while operating under more moderate pressure and temperature conditions than many traditional storage methods. This opens up promising applications for MOFs in fuel cells, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and renewable energy storage systems.

Harvesting water from air and other environmental applications

Another promising application of MOFs is harvesting water from the air, particularly in arid regions or areas lacking access to clean water. Certain MOFs can adsorb water vapour at night and release liquid water when gently heated during the day, creating a passive water-harvesting cycle with low energy consumption.

In addition, MOFs are being explored for a wide range of environmental applications, including the removal of persistent organic pollutants, water purification, gas separation, chemical catalysis, and sensing technologies. This diversity of applications demonstrates that MOFs are not a single-purpose solution, but a versatile technological platform that can be integrated across multiple sectors.

Policy support, investment, and future prospects

In Europe and many other regions, MOFs are attracting strong interest from research and innovation programmes such as Horizon Europe, the Innovation Fund, and initiatives related to carbon removal. These programmes not only support fundamental research but also facilitate testing and deployment of MOFs in real industrial systems.

Although challenges remain in terms of cost, long-term durability, and large-scale manufacturing, MOFs are steadily moving closer to commercial application. The recognition of this field by the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry is widely seen as a major catalyst that will strengthen market confidence, attract investment, and promote international collaboration.

Conclusion

Metal–organic frameworks represent a turning point in materials science, where molecular-level design is harnessed to address global challenges. From carbon capture and energy storage to clean water supply, MOFs open up new possibilities for a more sustainable future. The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry not only honours three outstanding scientists, but also underscores the central role of materials science in the journey toward a cleaner planet.