| Aug 14, 2025 |
Scientists unlock precise control of nanoscale moire patterns using MOFsResearchers use metal-organic frameworks to fine-tune moire patterns, paving the way for advances in superconductivity, photonics, and quantum technologies.(Nanowerk News) When two mesh screens or fabrics are layered with a slight offset, they create moiré patterns—those shifting, wavelike designs you might notice on TV screens or printed images. While they often seem like harmless visual quirks, at the nanoscale these patterns can dramatically alter how materials behave, especially in graphene, where they influence electrical properties. Harnessing them could open doors to breakthroughs in superconductivity and quantum technologies. |
| Until now, controlling the exact scale of moiré patterns has been a major challenge because atomic structures are fixed. That limitation has made it hard to fine-tune the way materials conduct electricity or light. |
| A research team led by Professor Wonyoung Choe at UNIST has found a way around that problem. In a study published in Nature Communications ("Isoreticular moiré metal-organic frameworks with quasiperiodicity"), they report using stacks of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)—crystalline structures made from metal clusters connected by organic molecules—to precisely adjust the spacing of moiré patterns. This approach acts like a molecular dial, allowing scientists to engineer patterns with custom dimensions. |
| By altering the length of the organic linkers in zirconium-based two-dimensional MOFs and rotating the stacked layers at different angles, the team achieved fine control over the resulting patterns. Molecular simulations from KAIST confirmed the stability of these stacked structures and matched the experimental results. |
| One striking discovery came at a 30° twist, where the layers formed dodecagonal quasiperiodic patterns—complex designs with 12-fold symmetry that never exactly repeat. These were captured with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and modeled mathematically. Researchers believe such patterns could subtly influence how electrons move, offering a new level of control in designing materials for advanced electronics. |
| “Quasiperiodic patterns can introduce delicate modulations in electron behavior,” said Jiyeon Kim, the study’s first author. Professor Choe added, “MOFs give us a way to adjust lattice spacing like turning a dial. This platform could speed up the development of next-generation twistronic and quantum devices.” |
| Source: UNIST (Note: Content may be edited for style and length) |
