| Oct 30, 2025 |
New method creates smooth, scalable amorphous MOF films for better biosensorsA new solvent-evaporation method makes smooth, porous amorphous MOF films, boosting sensitivity and scalability for sensing and catalytic technologies.(Nanowerk News) Scientists have developed a new method to produce smooth, uniform films of amorphous metal-organic frameworks, or aMOFs (Advanced Materials, "Solvent Evaporation Induced Micelle Assembly for Continuous Mesoporous Amorphous Metal–Organic Framework Films"). The approach solves a long-standing challenge in materials science: crystalline MOF films often crack and form grain boundaries that weaken their structure and limit their performance. |
| The team used a solvent evaporation technique that relies on the self-assembly of block copolymer micelles. By fine-tuning the mix of solvents and the ratio of metal ions to organic linkers, they guided the formation of a continuous, mesoporous film during the drying process. |
| The result was a thin, continuous film of amorphous ZIF-90 with evenly distributed pores 15 to 20 nanometers wide and a surface roughness of just 0.5 nanometers. The method worked with both spin-coating and spray-coating, suggesting it can be scaled up for industrial production. |
 |
| A New Type of Metal-Organic Framework Films. (Image: National Taiwan University) |
| Detailed analyses confirmed that although the material lacks the ordered crystal structure of traditional MOFs, it maintains similar local chemical bonding while gaining a network of connected pores that improve mass transport. Simulations showed that methanol in the solvent mix helped the molecules bond correctly, while tetrahydrofuran encouraged the amorphous structure to form. |
| The team also demonstrated that the new film performs well in detecting uric acid. Its open pore network allowed faster molecular diffusion, delivering higher sensitivity and lower detection limits than conventional crystalline films. |
| “This work establishes a new benchmark for the development of high-performance aMOF films,” says Prof. Kevin C.-W. Wu, corresponding author of the study. “By overcoming the typical limitations of crystalline MOFs, such as grain boundaries and poor film continuity, our evaporation-induced strategy opens pathways for their broader integration into advanced functional devices, including practical biosensing applications.” |
| “Furthermore, this work demonstrates the successful scientific cooperation between Taiwan (National Taiwan University) and Japan (Nagoya University),” he adds. |
| The study provides a fast, scalable route to high-quality mesoporous aMOF films, paving the way for new advances in electrochemical, catalytic, and sensing technologies. |
| Source: National Taiwan University (Note: Content may be edited for style and length) |
