14 October 2025
The awarding of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi — pioneers in the development of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) — marks a historic milestone for materials science and a source of particular pride for the Portuguese scientific community. At CICECO, this distinction resonates deeply: since 2001, researchers at the institute have been exploring the potential of MOFs and other porous materials to address global challenges in energy, environment, and health.
In this interview, João Rocha, full professor and researcher at CICECO and one of Portugal’s leading figures in this field, reflects on the impact of this recognition, the national contributions to the advancement of MOF research, and the future prospects of this fascinating area of materials chemistry.
1) What does the Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to the creators of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) represent for the Portuguese scientific community — and for CICECO in particular?
For my group and for CICECO, this prize recognizes a line of research that we have pursued since 2001 (with our first paper published in 2002) — one in which we have always believed because of its immense promise to generate new materials, with improved or even unprecedented properties, capable of improving people’s lives.
2) The laureates (Kitagawa, Robson, and Yaghi) are celebrated for designing versatile porous molecular architectures. In your view, what were the key contributions that made their work decisive for the advancement of MOFs? And how did their approaches differ from the previous state of the art — in terms of stability, functionalization, or applicability?
Kitagawa, Robson, and Yaghi showed how to build molecular architectures with tailor-made holes and channels, able to allow or trap specific molecules — think of a “Swiss cheese” at the molecular scale.
By using modular building blocks such as metal clusters and organic linkers, they created crystalline frameworks that remain stable even when the solvent is removed. These networks can be finely tuned: by changing the metal, modifying the linker, or adding functional groups. They serve purposes such as gas storage and separation (including hydrogen and carbon dioxide), catalysis, pollutant detection, and more.
Before their breakthroughs, many similar materials collapsed when dried and allowed little structural control. With their approaches, MOFs became robust, programmable platforms for diverse applications.
3) CICECO has long been developing research lines on MOFs and related porous materials. In which specific areas? Could you share examples of current or recent projects involving your group?
At CICECO, we investigate MOFs and other porous materials for gas storage and separation (for example, CO? and H?), sensing, luminescent platforms, catalysis/photocatalysis, and as precursors for other materials.
Within my research group — which includes Professors Luís Carlos and Manuel Souto and researcher Filipe Paz, among others — we focus on light-emitting MOFs and ionically and electronically conductive MOFs for batteries, supported by advanced characterization techniques such as solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).
In line with sustainability goals, we also work on anti-mosquito textiles functionalized with MOFs and on the selective recovery of uranium species from water. This research agenda includes an ongoing FCT-funded project dedicated to MOFs for lithium batteries, focused on solid electrolytes, functional separators, and MOF-derived electrodes.
4) Considering Portugal’s and CICECO’s scientific and technological capacities, which areas are the most pioneering and competitive? And what are the main challenges to further advancing research in metal–organic frameworks (for instance, funding, infrastructure, talent, or industrial collaboration)?
Our most pioneering areas include advanced characterization (solid-state NMR and X-ray diffraction) for understanding structure–function relationships; functional MOFs for energy, particularly ionic and electronic conductors for batteries; and sensing and photonics, especially luminescent MOFs and composites for selective detection of gases and VOCs.
At present, our work is mainly in fundamental research. Our current FCT project is coming to an end, and we hope that this Nobel Prize will inspire future reviewers to support and fund our research.
5) Throughout your career, how have you seen the field of porous materials evolve in Portugal and globally? And how has your work contributed directly to this development?
Porous materials form a much broader class than MOFs. Our most significant work has focused on porous silicates, particularly zeolites; one zirconium silicate we developed, after a minor modification, even reached the market as a pharmaceutical to treat hyperkalemia (excess potassium in the blood).
The transition from porous silicates to MOFs was a natural one — it expanded the scope of our research and opened new frontiers. In the realm of MOFs, our main contributions lie in light-emitting materials and, more recently, in ionic and electronic conductors, which are essential for battery technology.
6) What advice would you give to young Portuguese researchers who wish to enter or specialize in the field of MOFs or porous materials?
I would say it is a demanding but immensely rewarding field. It requires a strong foundation in coordination chemistry, crystal structure, and advanced characterization, but also an openness to collaborate with physicists, engineers, and materials scientists.
It’s essential to learn how to synthesize with purpose — not merely to create new structures, but to understand how and why they work. And above all, cultivate curiosity and persistence: many of the most interesting results are the unexpected ones.
Oh, and of course — come work with João Rocha!
Read this article about the Nobel Prize in Chemistry with the contribution of João Rocha: https://www.publico.pt/2025/10/08/ciencia/noticia/premio-nobel-quimica-vai-cientistas-desenvolveram-redes-metalorganicas-2150010
And watch this episode of CNN Inovação, showcasing João Rocha's work with MOFs: https://cnnportugal.iol.pt/videos/cnn-inovacao-universidade-de-aveiro-departamento-de-quimica/686fd0300cf20ac1d5f34093
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João Rocha
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