MOFs find a use
Nina Notman takes stock of the first products containing metal–organic frameworks to hit the shelves
Metal–organic frameworks, better known as MOFs or coordination polymers, are coming of age. Their numbers have grown at an unprecedented rate since US chemist Omar Yaghi uncovered their potential nearly 20 years ago; today the structures of over 6000 new MOFs are published each year. In this time, researchers have realised that these highly porous materials have huge commercial potential: from methane fuel tanks in cars to antimicrobial dressings. Nina Notman looks at the companies – new and old – trying to help MOFs realise their potential.