Wolfgang Schmitt Professor

Prof.  Wolfgang Schmitt’s research interests focus on the supramolecular chemistry of hybrid organic-inorganic materials aiming to exploit these advanced materials for sustainable energy applications, catalysis and molecular magnetic devices. Current activities focus on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for hydrogen storage applications, CO2 fixation and activation, bio-mimetic syntheses, self-assembly processes, synthetic approaches to nanoscopic clusters (polyoxometalates and other coordination clusters) and molecular coordination cages.

Through his ERC Consolidator project SUPRAMOL,  subsequent ERC Proof-of-Concept awards and Science Foundation Ireland-funded projects in particular, Professor Schmitt and his research team have examined metal-organic materials (MOFs) and other porous inorganic compounds. These materials can be functionalised and reveal unique, intrinsic micro- and macro-molecular structures that allow efficient capture of CO₂.

The technology that will be explored through the POC grant should have exceptionally low operational CO₂ capture costs, be modular and not be restricted to fixed locations or CO₂ point sources. As a result, it could conceptually lead to negative or net zero CO₂ emissions.

Prof. Schmitt’s research provides a route to develop practical solutions to ameliorate global warming and bring national and international environmental and societal benefits as well as economic development to Ireland. It is a central component of AMBER’s programme looking at making breakthrough advances in creating materials and technologies that can foster a sustainable future.