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Programmable MOF Glasses Could Enable New Functionalities for Glass Coatings
Researchers from TU Dortmund University, Paderborn University, the University of Duisburg-Essen and the University of Oxford have developed a method that enables the targeted modification of the structure of specialised metal-organic glasses during production. Published in Nature Materials, the research opens up new possibilities for tailoring the optical and magnetic properties of glass and could, in the long term, be of interest to manufacturers of functional glass coatings.
Researchers from TU Dortmund University, Paderborn University, the University of Duisburg-Essen and the University of Oxford have developed a method that enables the targeted modification of the structure of specialised metal-organic glasses during production. Published in Nature Materials, the research opens up new possibilities for tailoring the optical and magnetic properties of glass and could, in the long term, be of interest to manufacturers of functional glass coatings.
The study focuses on glasses derived from so-called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). These framework materials are considered promising candidates for applications in gas storage, sensing, catalysis, battery technology and optoelectronics. Until now, however, the chemical structure of the resulting glasses has largely been determined by the starting material.
The research team has now demonstrated that this limitation can be overcome. By adding the organic molecule 1,10-phenanthroline before the melting process, the chemistry of the material can be deliberately modified. The additive acts not only as a flux to lower the melting temperature but also actively alters the bonding environment of the metal centres.
Structural Modification Directly in the Melt
According to the researchers, the key innovation takes place while the material is in its liquid state. Whereas conventional glass formation is primarily regarded as a physical solidification process, the melt in this case becomes a chemical reaction environment.
The phenanthroline binds to the metal centres and changes their coordination environment, leading to the formation of new network structures within the glass. The extent of this restructuring can be controlled through the amount of molecule added.
“The melt is no longer a rigid intermediate state. It becomes a reaction space in which we can programme the structure,” explains Prof Sebastian Henke, who led the study at TU Dortmund University.
Particularly noteworthy is the fact that this approach enables material properties that were previously inaccessible because of the high processing temperatures required. In cobalt-containing glasses, for example, the researchers were able to identify magnetic effects without the interference of decomposition products.
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Lower Temperatures Prevent Material Damage
Temperature is often a critical factor in the processing of MOF-based materials. Many systems begin to decompose thermally before they can be completely melted and converted into glass.
The use of 1,10-phenanthroline significantly reduces the melting temperature. As a result, the structures remain more stable and the formation of unwanted by-products is reduced. High-resolution spectroscopic investigations confirmed that while the spatial environment of the metal atoms changed, their chemical state remained unchanged.
The experiments also showed that the approach is not limited to a single MOF class. Carboxylate-based framework structures were successfully modified as well, further increasing the technological relevance of the process.
What Does This Mean for Glass Coating Manufacturers?
For paint and coatings developers, the significance of the research lies less in an immediately available application and more in the emergence of a new development pathway for functional glass substrates.
Today, properties such as light management, sensing capabilities, electrical conductivity and photocatalytic activity are typically achieved through coating systems. However, the new study suggests that, in the future, the glass itself could be engineered to provide some of these functionalities.
This creates several potential opportunities:
- Functional substrates rather than passive carriers: Glasses could themselves exhibit magnetic, optical or sensing properties that are subsequently enhanced or protected by coatings.
- New coating architectures: The combination of functionalised MOF glass with tailored coating or thin-film systems could enable new solutions for smart glass, displays and sensor technologies.
- Improved system performance: If certain functionalities are already embedded in the substrate, coatings can be optimised more specifically for protection, durability or additional surface properties.
- Potential for optical applications: The controlled adjustment of luminescent or optical properties could create new opportunities for coatings used in photonics and optoelectronics.
Long-Term Perspectives
The approach is particularly relevant for markets in which glass is expected to perform an increasing number of functions, including architectural glazing, electronics, sensing technologies and medical devices. The research suggests that, in the future, not only the surface but also the internal structure of glass could be engineered for specific applications.
For glass coating formulators, this development could lead to a closer integration of substrate design and coating development over the medium term. Rather than delivering functionality exclusively through the coating layer, performance characteristics could be distributed between the glass and the coating itself. This would create new opportunities for multifunctional systems and further accelerate the trend towards highly integrated material solutions.
Original article: Weiß, J.B., Fritsch, L., Tricarico, M. et al. Flux-mediated ligand exchange restructures metal-organic framework glasses. Nature Materials (2026).
