Semiconducting MOFs from Bulk Materials to Printed Devices

Research topic/area

Printed Electronics

Type of thesis

Bachelor / Master

Start time

-

Application deadline

31.08.2026

Duration of the thesis

3 to 6 Months

Description

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are microporous crystalline coordination polymers with the largest surface area of any materials known. MOFs, as unique class of porous systems have been recognised by prestigious Nobel Prize 2025. Owing to their ultrahigh (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) ≥ 6000 m2 g–1) surface areas with permanent porosity, tunable pore sizes, and chemical diversity, these materials show tremendous properties for diverse applications. In this vein, translation of MOFs from research to industry remains constrained, in part due to difficulties in shaping and processing the polycrystalline powders. Additive manufacturing offers a powerful and versatile approach to shape MOFs into targeted forms with well reserved intrinsic functions. Efficient methods to deposit MOFs are needed to integrate these microporous materials into printed electronic devices.

Research Vision:
This research aims to bridge the gap between bulk semiconducting MOFs and printed electronic devices. The central challenge is to retain the electrical conductivity of materials during ink formulation, particle processing, and printing, where conductive pathways may be disrupted. The project will develop processing and printing strategies that preserve conductivity while enabling scalable device fabrication.

Target Material: TCNQ@HKUST-1
Reference: Tunable Electrical conductivity in Metal-Organic Framework Thin-Film Devices (DOI: 10.1126/science.1246738)

Requirement

Requirements for students

• Background in Material Science, Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering

Faculty departments

• Engineering sciences
  Material sciences & engineering
• Natural sciences and Technology
  Chemistry

Supervision

Title, first name, last name

Dr, Salma, Begum

Organizational unit

Institute of Nanotechnology - KIT Campus North

Email address

salma.begum@kit.edu

Link to personal homepage/personal page

Website

Application via email

Application documents

• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcript

E-Mail Address for application
Senden Sie die oben genannten Bewerbungsunterlagen bitte per Mail an salma.begum@kit.edu


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