MOFs win the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

8th October 2025 – The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi for their work on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) — highly porous structures made of metals and organic molecules. These frameworks can trap and store gases, act as catalysts, and even clean up pollutants. At the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), scientists are developing MOFs to capture carbon dioxide and support more sustainable industrial processes.

Prof. José Ramón Galán-Mascarós, ICREA Professor and Group Leader at ICIQ, explains: “We are designing MOFs for two applications where these porous materials offer a significant advantage. On one hand, we are developing MOFs capable of adsorbing CO₂, to capture it from emission sources and mitigate air pollution. On the other hand, we are optimising chiral MOFs to develop new methods for the recognition and analysis of molecules in medicine.”

What are Metal–Organic Frameworks?

MOFs are structures made by linking metal atoms with organic molecules. The metals act as connection points, while the organic molecules define the shape and size of the network. The result is a material full of tiny holes, or pores, that can trap and hold other molecules.

Because their structure can be carefully designed, MOFs can be adapted for many purposes. Some can store gases like hydrogen for clean energy; others can separate or capture carbon dioxide. Their combination of light weight, stability, and high internal surface area makes them useful in environmental and industrial applications.

TAMOF-1 and Orchestra: Turning research into real solutions

At ICIQ, researchers have developed TAMOF-1, a copper-based MOF with outstanding carbon capture performance. This material is free from critical raw materials and can be synthesized sustainably at an industrial scale. TAMOF-1 captures CO₂ at extremely low energy costs, over 30% lower than competing technologies, while operating under ambient conditions. Remarkably, TAMOF-1 not only captures CO₂ but also purifies it in a single step, producing in-situ a high-purity, high-value CO₂ stream suitable for reuse or sale. In addition, it is highly versatile, being capable of capturing CO₂ from a wide range of sources and scales, including flue gases, biogas for renewable methane production, and fermentation processes in the winery sector. This industrial interest led to the creation of Orchestra Scientific, an ICIQ spin-off company.

Stefano Giancola, CTO of Orchestra, says: “At Orchestra, we are bringing the TAMOF-1-based technology from the research to the industrial level, implementing it for CO₂ capture across different sectors. As example, in collaboration with the Familia Torres winery, they are experimenting with a pioneering process that collects the CO₂ released during wine fermentation, purifies it, and reuses it in production. This approach turns waste into a resource, supporting a circular carbon economy.”

About the Nobel Prizes

The Nobel Prizes, created by Alfred Nobel’s will in 1895, honour individuals or organisations that have contributed the most to humanity. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded each year by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Each laureate receives a medal, a diploma, and a monetary award at the ceremony in Stockholm.

This year’s chemistry prize recognises a major step forward in materials science. MOFs have opened new possibilities in energy, the environment, and industry. At ICIQ and around the world, researchers continue to explore how these frameworks can help build a cleaner and more sustainable future.