idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft

Nachrichten, Termine, Experten

Grafik: idw-Logo
Science Video Project
idw-Abo

idw-News App:

AppStore

Google Play Store



Instance:
Share on: 
06/17/2024 14:19

Molecular sponge for the electronics of the future

Nicole Gierig Pressestelle
Technische Universität Dresden

    An international research team led by Dr Florian Auras from Dresden University of Technology (TUD) has succeeded in developing a new type of material in the rather young research field of covalent organic frameworks. The new two-dimensional polymer is characterised by the fact that its properties can be controlled in a targeted and reversible manner. This has brought the researchers a step closer to the goal of realising switchable quantum states. These results were recently published in the renowned journal 'Nature Chemistry'.

    Porous covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a class of highly ordered, porous materials consisting of organic molecules that are linked by covalent bonds to form a network. They enable the construction of functional materials with molecular precision. Similar to metal organic frameworks (MOFs), which were discovered around 25 years ago and have already reached market maturity, COFs possess highly promising structural, optical and electronic properties for numerous applications, for example in gas and liquid storage, catalysis, sensor technology and energy applications.

    Previous research on COFs has generally focussed on the construction of rigid frameworks with static material properties. Dr Florian Auras and his team at the Chair of Molecular Functional Materials at TUD have now developed a design strategy for dynamic two-dimensional COFs that can open and close their pores in a controlled manner, similar to a sponge. "The main aim of the study was to equip these frameworks, which are normally very precisely ordered but rigid, with exactly the right degree of flexibility so that their structure can be switched from compact to porous. By adding solvent to the molecular sponge, we can now temporarily and reversibly change the local geometry as well as optical properties such as colour or fluorescence," says Florian Auras, explaining his research approach.

    The ability to switch the structural and optoelectronic properties of the materials back and forth in a targeted manner makes the materials particularly interesting for future applications in electronics and information technology. "Our research results form the basis for our further research into stimuli-responsive polymers, particularly with the aim of realising switchable quantum states. When working on COFs, I am always fascinated by how precisely their properties can be manipulated by controlling the molecular structure," adds Auras.


    Contact for scientific information:

    Dr Florian Auras
    Research Group leader
    Chair of Molecular Functional Materials
    Dresden University of Technology
    Tel. +49 351 463 41233
    Email: florian.auras@tu-dresden.de


    Original publication:

    Auras, Florian., Ascherl, Laura., Bon, Volodymyr., et al. Dynamic two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks. Nat. Chem. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-024-01527-8


    Images

    Molecular sponge
    Molecular sponge

    Florian Auras


    Criteria of this press release:
    Journalists, Scientists and scholars
    Chemistry, Information technology, Materials sciences
    transregional, national
    Research results, Scientific Publications
    English


     

    Molecular sponge


    For download

    x

    Help

    Search / advanced search of the idw archives
    Combination of search terms

    You can combine search terms with and, or and/or not, e.g. Philo not logy.

    Brackets

    You can use brackets to separate combinations from each other, e.g. (Philo not logy) or (Psycho and logy).

    Phrases

    Coherent groups of words will be located as complete phrases if you put them into quotation marks, e.g. “Federal Republic of Germany”.

    Selection criteria

    You can also use the advanced search without entering search terms. It will then follow the criteria you have selected (e.g. country or subject area).

    If you have not selected any criteria in a given category, the entire category will be searched (e.g. all subject areas or all countries).