On July 2, 2026, researchers from Graz University of Technology revealed significant findings regarding metal-organic framework (MOF) thin films, demonstrating that they are densely packed rather than porous, contradicting decades of scientific assumptions. This breakthrough was published in Advanced Functional Materials and suggests a need to reassess existing structural models.
Key Findings on MOF Thin Films
The research team, led by Roland Resel and Egbert Zojer, along with collaborators from the Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, focused on the well-studied copper benzene dicarboxylate Cu(bdc) thin film. Their results challenge previous models suggesting high porosity.
Using advanced techniques such as rotating grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (rotating GIXD) and complex quantum mechanical simulations, the researchers identified a new structure for Cu(bdc) thin films that explains properties previously thought to be due to porosity.
Implications of the Non-Porous Structure
This newly identified densely packed structure has significant implications. It explains why Cu(bdc) thin films exhibit high stability in water environments and possess magnetic properties that were inconsistent with earlier hypotheses. The presence of additional hydroxide groups further differentiates this structure from previous models.
