The 2025 Nobel Prizes:
Sparkles of Sustainability
Part I -- Environment
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The Nobel Prize in Chemistry: MOF, from emergence to sustainable practices
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Sibei Zhu
On 10 October 2025, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Chemistry in Memory of Alfred Nobel 2025, more known as the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025, to Richard Robson, Susumu Kitagawa, and Omar M. Yaghi for the development of metal-organic framework (MOF), a new type of molecular architecture.
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Richard Robson – Theoretical Pioneer in MOF
In 1989, Richard Robson constructed infinite polymeric frameworks consisting of three-dimensionally linked rod-like segments. The structure of it is regular, and has numerous internal cavities, like building a diamond lattice with molecules. He was the first person to propose the potential of such networks, proving that the internal ions may exchange, believing that the structure could be designed according to the usage, and predicting that this could be used as a catalyst.
Figure 1 The structure of [Cu₄(C(C₆H₄CN)₄)₆] framework
Richard Robson made progress on the development of MOF catalysts that can turn waste into treasure through the concept of molecular assembly. These catalysts may convert carbon dioxide into useful substances, which decreases the harm caused by factory emissions.
Susumu Kitagawa – Founder of MOF Functional Characteristics
In 1997, Susumu Kitagawa built a three-dimensional MOF structure with gas-accommodating interlaced channels. He proved for the first time that after water is removed from the material, the pores may remain stable, allowing gases to freely move in and out without compromising the structure. Furthermore, he found that MOF has both flexibility and customizability, enabling easy reversible adsorption of gases.
Figure 2 The 3D MOF structure that Susumu Kitagawa constructed.
Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/anie.199717251
Susumu Kitagawa discovered that MOFs have flexible small pores, which means that they not only safely store toxic gases to reduce factory risks but also efficiently store clean energies such as hydrogen. This may help us gradually walk away from the dependence on traditional energy sources that create severe pollution.
Omar M. Yaghi – Promotor of MOF’s Application
In 1999, Omar M. Yaghi developed a highly stable MOF-5 with a huge specific surface area (a few grams of the material could cover the whole football field). He also proposed “reticular chemistry” to provide guidance for large-scale production of MOF, and developed several variants like MOF-303 and MOF-253 for practical uses like carbon capture.
Figure 3 Construction of the MOF-5 framework
Omar M. Yaghi developed variants of MOFs that can capture water in arid deserts to alleviate several water-related crises, like water scarcity. They can also remove persistent pollutants and absorb carbon dioxide at the same time, contributing to “carbon neutrality” and water treatment.
Time: 2025.10.18
Editor: Sibei Zhu, Tian Qiu
Editor's note: special thanks to Sibei Zhu from Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School for the contents of this page.