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  • Perspective
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Transitioning metal–organic frameworks from the laboratory to market through applied research

Nature Materials volume 24, pages 178–187 (2025)Cite this article

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Abstract

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have captivated researchers for over 25 years, yet few have successfully transitioned to commercial markets. This Perspective elucidates the progress, challenges and opportunities in moving MOFs to market, focusing on applied research. The five applied research steps that enable technology development and demonstration are reviewed: synthesis, forming, processing (washing and activation), prototyping and compliance. Furthermore, the importance of a comprehensive techno-economic analysis incorporating a complete picture of costs and revenues is discussed. Readers can use the understanding of applied research presented herein to tackle their MOF commercialization challenges.

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Fig. 1: MOF diversity and commercialization considerations.
Fig. 2: Optimized synthesis of four MOFs and a summary of alternative HKUST-1 synthesis conditions.
Fig. 3: Microcrystalline MOF powders and MOFs processed by different techniques.
Fig. 4: Prototyping conditions and examples.

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Acknowledgements

We thank J. Siegfried, P. Fuller, P. Siu, J. Jeanneret, A. Peters, J. Falkowski, S. Weston, T. Skoulidas and A. Ivashko for helpful discussions. A. Peters generated Fig. 3e.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Numat, Chicago, IL, USA

    Ashley M. Wright, Omar K. Farha & William Morris

  2. Materials and Catalysis Division, ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, Annandale, NJ, USA

    Matthew T. Kapelewski

  3. BASF SE, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany

    Stefan Marx

  4. Department of Chemistry and International Institute for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Omar K. Farha

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Correspondence to William Morris.

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Each author is directly involved in the commercialization of MOFs, with O.K.F., W.M. and A.M.W. holding options to purchase equity in Numat Technologies. Inc., a company working on MOF commercialization.

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Wright, A.M., Kapelewski, M.T., Marx, S. et al. Transitioning metal–organic frameworks from the laboratory to market through applied research. Nat. Mater. 24, 178–187 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-024-01947-4

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