Nobel Prize 2025: Award-winning chemistry for a cleaner planet

MOFs are like microscopic sponges, made up of tiny cavities like molecular scaffolding. Just a few grams of MOF powder have an internal surface area the size of a football pitch, making it the most porous solid material known. This extraordinary property allows MOFs to capture CO₂ molecules, and could make it easier and cheaper to capture CO₂ emissions from power plants, industrial sites and even directly from the air: a crucial step forward in tackling climate change.

The European Commission supports the development of technologies that use MOFs through programmes such as Horizon Europe, the Innovation Fund and the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) regulation.For example, the Horizon Europe projects PORECAPTURE and MOST-H2 projects are exploring the use of MOFs in membranes for CO2 capture and hydrogen storage, respectively.

Through the CRCF, the Commission is establishing methodologies for certifying permanent carbon removals, including Direct Air Capture with Carbon Storage (DACCS) and Biogenic Emissions Capture with Carbon Storage (BioCCS). This framework sets out common monitoring and reporting standards, giving facilities that deploy DACCS and BioCCS in Europe the possibility to apply for EU certification. Such certification will strengthen market credibility, attract investment and boost demand for trusted and verifiable carbon removals recognised under this European public scheme.

Beyond carbon capture, MOFs are also being explored for clean water extraction from air, removing pollutants and storing hydrogen: all with great potential to help the clean transition and to adapt to climate change.

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