Ancient Glass Technique Unlocks CO2-Trapping 'MOF Glass' That Could Revolutionize Clean Energy
Scientists adapted centuries-old glassmaking methods to create customizable porous materials for gas storage and separation.
An international research team has successfully adapted traditional glassmaking chemistry to improve metal-organic framework (MOF) glass, a futuristic material capable of trapping gases like carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The breakthrough, published in Nature Chemistry, shows that MOF glasses can be adjusted using methods similar to those used for centuries in conventional glass production.
MOF glasses are made from metal atoms connected by organic molecules and are highly valued for their ability to capture gases, store chemicals, and even trap water vapor. However, these materials typically soften only at very high temperatures—above 300°C—which is close to their degradation temperature, making manufacturing challenging and limiting broader commercial use. The new research demonstrates that introducing small chemical compounds containing sodium or lithium can significantly lower processing temperatures and improve material flow.
Dr. Dominik Kubicki from the University of Birmingham explained the historical parallel: "Glass has been part of human civilization for millennia. From ancient Mesopotamia to modern fiber-optic cables, small amounts of chemical modifiers make it easier to process glass and change its functional properties." The team found that these same principles could be applied to MOF glasses, potentially opening new pathways for manufacturing advanced materials.
The researchers focused on ZIF-62, one of the best-known MOF glasses that can be melted and cooled while retaining internal pores essential for gas separation applications. Professor Sebastian Henke from TU Dortmund University noted that their approach "disrupts the network structure to tune melting behavior and mechanical properties," bringing MOF glasses closer to real-world manufacturing for applications in gas separation, storage, and catalysis.
To understand how sodium additives altered the material at the atomic level, scientists at the University of Birmingham used advanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy and other analytical techniques. Their analysis revealed how sodium ions integrate into the glass network and weaken internal connections, effectively creating a more processable material. The discovery creates a new framework for designing customized MOF glasses for clean energy systems, advanced coatings, and high-performance separation technologies.
