Making ‘room’ for new uses of Chemistry

Why is it in News ?

• The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi.
• Recognition for creating Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs), a class of porous materials with huge potential in climate, environmental, and industrial applications.
• The award highlights growing relevance of MOFs in India and worldwide, especially in carbon capture, water harvesting, and gas storage.

Relevance:

• GS-3 (Science & Technology): Materials chemistry, MOFs applications in carbon capture, water harvesting, energy storage.
• GS-3 (Environment): Climate mitigation technologies, clean energy, pollution control.

What are MOFs

• MOFs are materials with a lattice structure where metal atoms are connected to organic molecules.
• Unique feature: large, well-defined empty spaces inside the molecular structure.
• Analogy:
  • Normal materials: tightly packed atoms like solid brick walls with small rooms.
  • MOFs: structured like pillars and beams forming large, controllable rooms (pores) for storing other substances.

Key Scientists and Contributions

1. Richard Robson – Conceptualized linking metals with molecules to create spread-out molecules with empty spaces (1970s).
2. Susumu Kitagawa – Experimented with “usefulness of useless” ideas, demonstrated MOFs’ practical potential.
3. Omar Yaghi – Expanded MOF design and applications; developed numerous MOFs with controlled porosity.

Special Properties of MOFs

• Customizable porosity: Size and number of empty spaces can be pre-designed.
• Selective absorption: MOFs can target specific molecules (e.g., carbon dioxide, toxic gases, water).
• Stability & scalability: MOFs can be engineered for industrial-scale applications.
• Versatility: Unlike random porous materials (bread, sponge), MOFs offer precise molecular control.

Applications

1. Environmental
   1. Carbon dioxide capture: Helps mitigate climate change by selectively trapping CO₂.
   2. Water harvesting: Extracts water from arid air efficiently.
2. Industrial
   1. Gas storage: Methane, hydrogen, and toxic gases for energy and safety purposes.
   2. Catalysis: MOFs act as frameworks for chemical reactions.
3. Scientific & Medical
   1. Controlled delivery of molecules for drug delivery and chemical research.

Significance of the Nobel Prize

• Scientific impact: MOFs represent a major advancement in materials chemistry.
• Economic & policy relevance: Encourages governments and private sector to invest in MOF research and industrialisation, including in India.
• Sustainability potential: Supports climate change mitigation, water security, and clean energy technologies.

Current Trends

• Thousands of MOFs have been designed, demonstrating high versatility and industrial relevance.
• Growing research focus on redesigning MOFs for specific challenges:
  • Carbon capture from atmosphere
  • Water purification and storage
  • Selective adsorption of pollutants or hazardous gases
• India is increasingly investing in MOF research, inspired by global attention and Nobel recognition.

Conclusion

• MOFs are a revolution in material science, combining customizable structure, porosity, and selective absorption.
• The Nobel Prize underscores their practical importance, particularly in environmental sustainability and industrial chemistry.
• The award may catalyze greater research, funding, and application of MOFs in India, boosting both scientific innovation and climate solutions.

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