Metal-organic frameworks with metallic conductivity
Metallic conductivity in MOF thin films opens up new perspectives in electronics and energy research (Illustration: Lena Pilz, KIT).
June 16, 2025 – Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are known for their high porosity and structural versatility. They have enormous potential, especially for applications in electronics. However, their low electrical conductivity has so far severely limited their use.
Using AI and robotic synthesis, researchers from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), along with colleagues in Germany and Brazil, have now succeeded in producing a thin MOF film that conducts electricity like a metal. According to the researchers, this opens new possibilities in electronics and energy storage – ranging from sensors and quantum materials to functional components.
The study was published in Materials Horizons under the title ‘Dirac-cone induced metallic conductivity in Cu₃(HHTP)₂: high-quality MOF thin films fabricated via ML-driven robotic synthesis.’
