Understanding Ultrafast Conductivity in Metal Organic Frameworks

The primary focus of materials science research on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has been the synthesis of novel materials and the demonstration of their exciting properties. A more detailed understanding of the physics governing the properties of these MOFs will further progress in the field and guide synthetic chemists toward even better designs. Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is one of the outstanding techniques available to achieve this next step.

In this talk we will highlight the unique insight that ultrafast THz conductivity measurements can provide for photoconductive MOFs. We will explain how THz conductivity differs from more common direct current approaches and highlight the additional insight THz measurements provide. We will present results on several recently measured MOFs with a specific empahsize on the ultrafast photophysics governing the electro-optical properties in these exciting porous materials.