A metal-organic framework (MOF) is a crystalline porous solid built from metal ions or metal clusters connected by organic linker molecules. The result is an open network with very high internal surface area and pores whose size and chemistry can be designed by changing the metal or the linker.
How a MOF is built
Every MOF has two building blocks. The metal node is a metal ion or cluster, for example copper, zinc, chromium, aluminium, iron or zirconium. The organic linker is a molecule with two or more binding groups, such as a di- or tricarboxylic acid or an imidazole. Nodes and linkers assemble into a repeating framework, and the solvent that fills the pores after synthesis is removed in a step called activation.
Well-known MOF families
| MOF | Metal | Linker | Often studied for |
|---|---|---|---|
| HKUST-1 (Cu-BTC) | Copper | Benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate | Gas storage and separation, catalysis |
| MIL-53(Al) | Aluminium | Terephthalate | Flexible “breathing” framework, adsorption |
| MIL-100 / MIL-101(Cr) | Chromium | Trimesate / terephthalate | Large pores, catalysis, adsorption |
| MOF-177 | Zinc | Benzene-1,3,5-tribenzoate | Very high surface area, gas storage |
| ZIF-8 | Zinc | 2-Methylimidazolate | Membranes, separations |
| UiO-66 | Zirconium | Terephthalate | Chemically robust framework |
Lanthanide MOFs based on europium, terbium, dysprosium or samarium are studied mainly for their luminescence and for sensing.
Why MOFs are useful
- Very high surface area – many MOFs reach thousands of square metres per gram.
- Tunable pores – pore size and surface chemistry follow from the choice of node and linker.
- Accessible metal sites – useful for catalysis and selective adsorption.
Applications
- Storage of gases such as hydrogen and methane
- Carbon dioxide capture and gas separation
- Heterogeneous catalysis
- Chemical sensing
- Drug delivery research
- Water harvesting and adsorption-based cooling
What to check before buying a MOF
- Stability: moisture and thermal stability differ widely. HKUST-1, for example, is sensitive to moisture, while zirconium frameworks such as UiO-66 are known for robustness.
- Activation state: ask whether the material is supplied activated or still contains solvent.
- Particle size and purity: both affect packing, kinetics and reproducibility.
- Storage: keep MOFs sealed and dry; re-activate before use if they have been exposed to air.
Chemazone India lists copper, chromium, aluminium, iron, vanadium, zinc and lanthanide frameworks in its metal-organic framework range, including Copper Metal Organic Framework (Cu (HKUST-1) and Chromium MOF (Cr-MIL-101).
Frequently asked questions
What does MOF stand for?
MOF stands for metal-organic framework: a porous crystalline material made of metal nodes joined by organic linkers.
What is HKUST-1?
HKUST-1, also called Cu-BTC or MOF-199, is a copper framework with benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate linkers. It is one of the most widely used benchmark MOFs.
Are MOFs stable in water?
It depends on the framework. Some degrade on exposure to moisture, others are stable in water. Check the stability of the specific MOF for your conditions.
How do I get MOF price in India?
Send the framework name and quantity through our contact page and Chemazone India will reply with price and lead time.