Electrically Conductive MOFs: A Quantum Leap in Materials Science

MOF Thin Film Research

Published: June 24, 2025
Source: Phys.org

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have long captured scientific imagination for their extraordinary porosity and structural tunability. Now, they’re taking a giant leap into the world of quantum and electronic applications thanks to a breakthrough by researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and their international collaborators.

For the first time, a MOF has been engineered to exhibit true metallic conductivity—not merely semiconducting or hopping-based behavior—by forming high-quality thin films with precisely controlled crystallinity. This advancement unlocks previously inaccessible possibilities in electronics, energy storage, spintronics, and quantum materials research.

From Theory to Practice: MOFs Turn Metallic

MOFs are composed of metal clusters linked by organic molecules, and while they’ve been widely used in gas storage and catalysis, their low conductivity has limited their use in electronics. However, by using a self-driving laboratory powered by AI and robotic synthesis, the research team was able to synthesize high-quality thin films of Cu3(HHTP)2—a copper-based MOF—on a substrate with minimal defects.

This fabrication process reduced grain boundary imperfections and enabled electrical conductivities exceeding 200 S/m at room temperature, with conductivity increasing at cryogenic temperatures (−173°C)—a defining trait of metals.

Dirac Cones and Quantum Phenomena

But the discovery didn’t stop at conductivity. Theoretical analysis revealed that the Cu3(HHTP)2 material hosts Dirac cones, exotic electronic states also found in graphene. This opens the door to exploring Klein tunneling, spin liquids, and other quantum transport phenomena in MOFs—ushering in a new age of materials science where tailored quantum behavior is within reach.

"We’re now looking at MOFs not just as porous scaffolds, but as quantum-capable materials," said Professor Christof Wöll of KIT. “With automated synthesis and precise material modeling, we are paving the way for smart electronics, adaptable sensors, and next-generation energy materials.”

The Road Ahead: From Lab to Devices

This development brings MOFs closer to practical device integration—potentially revolutionizing fields like optoelectronics, quantum computing, flexible electronics, and even neuromorphic devices. The high conductivity, combined with unique quantum properties, enables a host of new functionalities in ultra-thin, scalable materials.

Importantly, this work was made possible through a fusion of AI-driven design, robotic precision, and theoretical physics—a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in modern materials discovery.

Original article: Metal-organic frameworks with metallic conductivity pave new paths for electronics and energy storage

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