Research project: Bradshaw: BIOMOF Biomineral-inspired growth and processing of metal-organic frameworks
This ERC-StG proposal, BIOMOF, outlines a dual strategy for the growth and processing of porous metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, inspired by the interfacial interactions that characterise highly controlled bio-mineralisation processes. The aim is to prepare MOF (bio)-composite materials of hierarchical structure and multi-modal functionality to address key societal challenges in healthcare, catalysis and energy. In order for MOFs to reach their full potential, a transformative approach to their growth, and in particular their ability to be processed, is required since the insoluble macroscopic micron-sized crystals resulting from conventional syntheses are unsuitable for many applications.