A new study published in Nature Chemistry has revealed how small chemical additions can significantly alter the structure and behavior of metal–organic framework (MOF) glass, lowering the temperature at which it softens and making it easier to process.

The research was carried out by scientists from TU Dortmund University and University of Birmingham. By introducing two compounds containing sodium and lithium into the glass structure, the team successfully reduced the softening temperature while also changing the material’s flow properties during heating.

According to Dominik Kubicki, conventional glass has long relied on small chemical modifiers to improve processing and performance. However, MOF glasses typically soften only at temperatures above 300°C, close to the point where the material begins to degrade. This narrow processing window has limited wider industrial adoption.

Using principles traditionally applied to silicate glass production, the researchers adapted these methods to hybrid metal–organic glasses. The team combined atomic-level structural analysis, high-temperature solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and artificial intelligence-driven computational modeling to study the modified glass.

Their findings showed that sodium ions do more than occupy empty spaces within the structure. Instead, they partially replace zinc atoms, gently loosening the glass network and improving its processing characteristics.