#hofs

Record-large pore molecular crystals: A leap toward clean energy storage

In our study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, our team from The University of Hong Kong and Northwestern University, led by the late Nobel Laureate Professor Fraser Stoddart, developed RP-H200, a hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF) with the largest pores in its class. This innovation unlocks new possibilities for sustainable energy storage, gas separation, and catalysis. The challenge of designing stable, large-pore molecular crystals Molecular crystals, such as hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs), are ordered structures formed by organic molecules linked through noncovalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonds or π-π stacking. Rock candy, where sucrose molecules form crystals via hydrogen bonds, is a simple example. Endowing molecular crystals with porosity unlocks vast potential for gas separation, sensing, and catalysis.