The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has announced the recipients of the 2025 Nobel Prizes, recognizing a pioneering development in material science with vast potential for global problem-solving.
Who were the recipients of the Chemistry Nobel Prize 2025?
The Chemistry Nobel Prize for 2025 was awarded to three distinguished individuals: Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi.
What development did they receive the prize for?
They were honoured for their crucial work leading to the Development of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), which are highly porous, crystal-like structures.
What is the main potential use of MOFs in environmental science?
MOFs have significant potential to address climate change by acting like a sponge to absorb excess greenhouse gases, such as Carbon Dioxide, directly from the atmosphere.
How versatile are these new materials?
These revolutionary materials can also store hydrogen fuel, purify water by absorbing contaminants like Arsenic and Cadmium, and even collect water from the air in desert regions.
Table of Contents
Who received the Chemistry Nobel Prize in 2025?
The prestigious 2025 Chemistry Nobel Prize was awarded to three key researchers by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences: Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi. These three scientists were recognised for their collective efforts in advancing the field of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), a development expected to bring significant future impacts.
What ground-breaking development earned the 2025 Chemistry Nobel Prize?
The laureates were specifically chosen for their contribution to the Development of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), which are defined as crystal-like structures designed with a specific, repeating pattern, much like the precise structures found in common crystals of salt or sugar.
How are Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) structured?
Metal-Organic Frameworks possess a defined structure and pattern, generally presenting as a repeating structure that is ultimately a three-dimensional framework.
The structure of MOFs relies on two primary components, which give the material its name:
- Metal Component: This part consists of metal ions or metal clusters, which may include elements such as Copper, Zinc, or Aluminium, acting like the fixed legs of a chair.
- Organic Component: This section comprises organic molecules or organic clusters, which can be visualized as the rods connecting the legs of the chair to form the complete structure.
A defining characteristic of the resulting three-dimensional structure is the presence of many small pores or holes (छिद्र). These pores are critical because they enable the material to store or absorb gases and other substances, making them highly effective tools for various chemical and environmental processes.
How big is the internal surface area of a Metal-Organic Framework?
The internal surface area of just one gram of a Metal-Organic Framework can be extraordinarily large due to its three-dimensional structure. In fact, it is estimated that the internal surface area of a single gram of MOF might be comparable to the size of a football field. This massive internal capacity allows MOFs to absorb and store vast quantities of gases or contaminants.
What revolutionary problems can MOFs help solve?
Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have tremendous potential utility, offering solutions to some of the most complex global challenges related to energy, climate, and water purification.
How can MOFs combat the climate change crisis?
Metal-Organic Frameworks are a revolutionary tool that can help mitigate global warming by absorbing excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
MOFs can provide a crucial solution to the climate crisis because they function similarly to a sponge, absorbing substances, particularly gases, into their pores. The primary driver of global warming is the increase in Greenhouse Gases like Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Since the concentration of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere has risen, MOFs can be utilized to absorb this excess gas directly from the air and safely store it within their pores.
Can MOFs provide solutions for future clean energy storage?
Yes, Metal-Organic Frameworks offer a powerful mechanism for storing Hydrogen, which is currently viewed as a key future fuel source for clean energy solutions. Hydrogen is considered a clean fuel because when used, it primarily emits only water, avoiding harmful gaseous byproducts. The major obstacle associated with adopting hydrogen as an energy source is finding safe and effective ways to store it, a challenge that MOFs are capable of solving.
What other practical applications do MOFs possess?
MOFs have a range of applications beyond climate and energy storage, including water purification, water collection in dry regions, and chemical catalysis.
Practical applications of Metal-Organic Frameworks include:
- Water Purification: MOFs can be used to purify water by efficiently absorbing various contaminants (संदूषक). These absorbed toxic substances may include heavy metals like Arsenic and Cadmium, as well as other poisonous materials like pesticides.
- Water Scarcity Solutions: For areas facing severe water shortages, such as desert regions, MOFs possess the ability to absorb water vapour that is present in the air. Once collected, this absorbed moisture can then be converted into usable flowing water.
- Catalysis: MOFs can function effectively as a catalyst (उत्प्रेरक) within chemical experiments. They have the capacity to accelerate chemical reactions that are typically very slow and often incur high costs, thus potentially revolutionizing experimental efficiency.
- Molecular Modelling: They can assist in creating molecular-level models of various chemicals and new medicines, allowing researchers to predict their future effects on the human body or the environment.
Why are Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) called ‘sponges’?
Metal-Organic Frameworks are frequently likened to a sponge because of their unique ability to absorb substances, specifically gases, from the atmosphere into the numerous small pores within their structure. This function is particularly important for absorbing excess Carbon Dioxide, making the comparison apt due to their high capacity for environmental absorption.
Explanation of the Source Material
The information presented in this article is drawn from excerpts of a video transcript titled “Nobel Prize 2025 Explained | Who Won in Physics and Chemistry? | UPSC Current Affairs” uploaded by the YouTube channel Drishti IAS. The transcript explains the declaration of the 2025 Nobel Prizes in Physics and Chemistry by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. This content focused specifically on the Chemistry Nobel Prize awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi for the Development of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). The transcript detailed the structure of MOFs (composed of metal ions like Copper, Zinc, or Aluminium, and organic molecules) and explained their critical applications in environmental solutions, such as absorbing greenhouse gases and purifying water contaminated with substances like Arsenic and Cadmium.