Metal-organic frameworks in 2026: overview
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials built from metal ions or clusters joined by organic molecules. Their adjustable structures and internal surface area make them candidates for separating gases, capturing carbon dioxide, catalysis, sensing and other uses. The central challenge is translating this molecular design flexibility into materials that can be manufactured, integrated and operated reliably under real-world conditions.
Recent work points toward more manufacturable forms and new functions. In September 2026, researchers reported regenerative growth-removal cycling for HKUST-1 thin films and a low-temperature route to ZIF glass membranes for gas separation. Other recent studies address fed-batch ZIF-8 synthesis, MOF-based electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide conversion and enzyme-immobilized frameworks for continuous chemical synthesis. In March 2026, a reported method assembled ultrathin MOF nanosheets at a liquid-air interface, while a May 2026 report described faster synthesis using an alternating electric field. Together, these directions target processing, interfaces and performance beyond powder form.
- 1From powders to devices: Thin-film growth, direct photopatterning and mixed-matrix membranes point toward integrating MOFs into functional systems, while interface quality and scalable fabrication remain key hurdles.
- 2Research leads patents: Publications grew 2.6% while patent activity fell 46.5%, a divergence that suggests research momentum is not yet translating into equivalent patent growth.
- 3Function beyond porosity: Conductive and redox-active frameworks, MOF glasses and enzyme-containing composites extend the field from adsorption toward electronic, catalytic and biological functions.
Top organizations working on metal-organic frameworks
Ranked by Linknovate activity score · last 24 monthsThe activity score adds up the relevance of every patent, publication, grant and news item linking an organization to metal-organic frameworks. Showing 7 of 3,000 organizations.
| # | Organization | Approach | Signals (24 mo) | Momentum | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS
Research · China |
Membranes and thin films | PUB 905 | +46% | Recently, researchers associated with CAS developed direct photopatterning methods for MOFs aimed at scalable integration into microelectronic and optoelectronic devices. |
| 2 | 
Nankai University
Research · China |
Membranes and thin films | PUB 439 · NEWS 8 | -6% | Recently, researchers at Nankai developed carboxylate MOF membranes with engineered interfaces for selective gas separation, and functionalized MOFs for acetylene/carbon dioxide separation. |
| 3 | 
University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
Research · China |
Membranes and thin films | PUB 444 | -1% | Recently, researchers associated with the university developed direct photopatterning of MOFs for scalable device integration, alongside work on MOF-based catalytic and sensing materials. |
| 4 | 
Jilin University
Research · China |
Crystalline framework families | PUB 407 | +4% | Recently, researchers at Jilin proposed pressure-switchable lanthanide MOFs with dynamic fluorescent responses, and developed MOF-based nanoplatforms for cancer therapy and enzyme catalysis. |
| 5 | 
Jiangsu University
Research · China |
Composites and postsynthetic modification | PAT 3 · PUB 377 NEWS 1 |
+10% | Recently, researchers at Jiangsu University tuned ligand functionalization around cobalt sites in zirconium MOFs to improve peroxymonosulfate activation for water-pollutant removal. |
| 6 | 
Zhejiang University
Research · China |
Membranes and thin films | PAT 2 · PUB 345 | +12% | Recently, researchers at Zhejiang University fabricated ZIF-8 nanofiltration membranes using layer-by-layer assembly and in-situ MOF growth, targeting selective separation with antifouling performance. |
| 7 | 
Yangzhou University
Research · China |
Conductive and redox-active frameworks | PUB 321 · NEWS 9 | -7% | Recently, researchers at Yangzhou University engineered conjugated MOF linkers to modulate electronic properties for electrocatalytic nitric oxide reduction to ammonia. |
| 8 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 9 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
| 10 | ··Hidden organizationCompany | Approach | PAT 00 · PUB 00 GRANTS 0 · NEWS 00 | +00% | Available to registered users. |
Startups to watch and leading research centers
Startups to watch 16 total
NuMat Technologies, Inc.United StatesNuMat develops MOF materials and processes, including compositions modified by impregnating frameworks with inorganic metal salts.
Mosaic MaterialsUnited StatesMosaic Materials develops adsorbent-based gas separations, including technologies for post-combustion carbon capture and direct air capture.
Water HarvestingUnited StatesWater Harvesting is developing atmospheric water-harvesting systems using sorbent materials, with patents covering water-adsorbing compositions, sorbent panels, and refrigerator-integrated harvesters.- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
- ··Hidden startupCountryAvailable to registered users, with funding and founding year.
Leading research institutions 2,731 total
- Chinese Academy of Sciences CASChinaRecently, researchers associated with CAS developed direct photopatterning methods for MOFs aimed at scalable integration into microelectronic and optoelectronic devices.
- Nankai UniversityChinaRecently, researchers at Nankai developed carboxylate MOF membranes with engineered interfaces for selective gas separation, and functionalized MOFs for acetylene/carbon dioxide separation.
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesChinaRecently, researchers associated with the university developed direct photopatterning of MOFs for scalable device integration, alongside work on MOF-based catalytic and sensing materials.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
- ··Hidden research institutionCountryAvailable to registered users, with their key researchers.
Where metal-organic frameworks innovation happens
Share of documents with at least one organization from each country.
Open the interactive map with all 3,000 organizationsMain technical approaches
Last 24 months| Approach | What it is | Documents | Leading organizations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystalline framework families | These established porous structures offer tunable pore chemistry, but crystalline powders can be difficult to shape and integrate without sacrificing performance. | 9,400 |
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jilin University |
| Conductive and redox-active frameworks | These frameworks support charge transport or reversible redox activity, but conductivity, stability and control of electronic properties remain trade-offs. | 1,535 |
Yeungnam University, Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Yangzhou University |
| Framework glasses | Amorphous MOF glasses can reduce grain-boundary defects in membranes, but processing conditions and retention of useful porosity are challenges. | 204 |
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, University of Aalborg, TU Dortmund |
| Composites and postsynthetic modification | Combining MOFs with other materials or modifying them after synthesis adds functions, but compatibility and consistent interfaces can be difficult to achieve. | 1,709 |
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS, Yangzhou University, Nankai University |
| Membranes and thin films | MOF films and membranes bring selective pores into device formats, but defect control, substrate adhesion and scalable fabrication remain demanding. | 804 |
Tiangong University, Nanjing TechUniversity, Yonsei University |
Emerging trends
Last 12 months vs previous 36 monthsTerms whose frequency in the last 12 months grew the most compared with the previous 36 months.
Funding and investment
Recent funding rounds
Funding data lists $223.3 million across 373 grants since 2020. It also records $167.2 million across 5 funding rounds.
Patent landscape
Top patent holders · last 24 monthsRecent developments
Latest news, duplicates removed- Nov 2026Delray Beach, FL , Sept. 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) Market is estimated to grow from USD 0.78 billion in 2026 to USD 2.22 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 23.2% during the…GlobeNewswire: Research Analysis And Reports
- Oct 2026For the first time, researchers have discovered a microorganism that has made metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and it appears to have been making them for millions of years. These supramolecular structures also have…Chemistry World - All stories
- Oct 2026Engineering defects in metal-organic frameworks boosts conversion of biomass sugars into lactic acidLactic acid is a key building block for biodegradable plastics, but producing it efficiently from renewable biomass remains challenging. Researchers have now developed a defect-engineered metal-organic framework…Bio-based News
- Sep 2026Zhuhai, Guangdong Sep 22, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - As global industries face mounting pressure to decarbonize and optimize chemical processes, one class of advanced materials has moved rapidly from academic laboratories…IssueWire | Press Release Distribution - Biotech
- Month 20XXHidden developmentAvailable to registered users with alerts enabled.
Frequently asked questions about metal-organic frameworks
What companies are working on metal-organic frameworks?
Ngk Insulators, Daikin Industries Ltd and LG Corp are among the leading MOF patent holders, with 22, 18 and 15 patents, respectively. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd and Sumitomo Chemical also appear among the patent holders. NuMat Technologies, Inc. and Mosaic Materials are startups developing MOF materials or adsorbent-based gas separations.
Which metal-organic frameworks startups are the most promising in 2026?
NuMat Technologies, Inc., Mosaic Materials and Water Harvesting are the startups identified in the data. NuMat develops MOF materials and processes, Mosaic Materials works on adsorbent-based gas separation including carbon capture, and Water Harvesting is developing atmospheric water-harvesting systems. These profiles indicate areas of activity, not a comparative assessment of commercial prospects.
Which universities and research centers lead metal-organic frameworks research?
Chinese Academy of Sciences CAS leads the listed research organizations with 905 documents in the window, followed by Nankai University with 447 and University of Chinese Academy of Sciences with 444. Their work includes MOF photopatterning for device integration, selective gas-separation membranes and catalytic or sensing materials.
How much funding has metal-organic frameworks received?
Funding data records $223,267,410 across 373 grants since 2020. It also lists $167,231,410 across 5 funding rounds. These are aggregate figures in the topic data; the round entries do not establish that every listed award or round directly funded MOF-specific work.
Who holds the most metal-organic frameworks patents?
Ngk Insulators is the leading listed patent holder, with 22 patents. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and Daikin Industries Ltd each have 18, followed by LG Corp with 15 and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd with 14. The counts describe the patent-holder ranking in the available topic data.
Is metal-organic frameworks patent activity growing?
No: patent activity declined 46.5% in the last 12 months compared with the previous 12 months. The data records 832 patents in the 24-month window. Publication activity moved in the opposite direction, with 15,865 publications in the latest year and growth of 2.6%.
What are the latest developments in metal-organic frameworks?
September 2026 work includes regenerative growth-removal cycling for HKUST-1 thin films, low-temperature ZIF glass membranes for gas separation and enzyme-immobilized MOFs for continuous synthesis. Other recent directions include MOF-supported electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction, ZIF-8 synthesis by fed-batch precursor delivery and MOF composites for carbon dioxide adsorption. These developments target fabrication, integration and function.
What are the main approaches in metal-organic frameworks and how do they differ?
The main approaches are crystalline framework families, conductive and redox-active frameworks, framework glasses, composites and postsynthetic modification, and membranes and thin films. They differ in the form or function being engineered: crystalline materials emphasize tunable pores; conductive frameworks target charge transfer; glasses address membrane defects; composites add functions; and films integrate MOFs into surfaces or devices.
Which countries lead metal-organic frameworks?
China leads with 72,047 documents, or 59.1% of the recorded total. The United States follows with 16,886 documents and 13.9%, then India with 8,564 and 7.0%. The figures describe document activity, not necessarily manufacturing capacity or commercial market share.
What are the applications of metal-organic frameworks?
The recorded applications include biomedical uses, with 4,570 documents; energy conversion and storage, with 3,590; carbon capture, with 3,034; catalysis and chemical conversion, with 1,576; gas storage and separation, with 1,306; and water harvesting and treatment, with 1,190. MOFs are investigated in these areas because their pores and chemical sites can be tailored to interact with target molecules.