ResearchGateOn-demand linkage cleavage in two-dimensional conjugated metal-organic frameworks for closed-loop recyclable electronics
Science Advances 12 (2026).
Q. Guo, S. Shi, N. You, C. Wang, L. Zheng, W. Wang, C. Yi, L. Shu, H. Xu, J. Zhang, L. Riemenschneider, S. Huang, M. Wang, F. Cheng, X. Li, G. Cuniberti, Y. Wu, C. Felser, M. Yu, and X. Feng.
Journal DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aed9532

The rapid growth of modern electronics has intensified concerns about electronic waste management at the end of a product’s life. Integrating closed-loop recyclability, where electronic materials can be efficiently recovered, reprocessed, and reused in regenerated products, is essential for achieving sustainable development, minimizing environmental impact, and realizing long-term economic benefits. However, achieving closed-loop recycling remains particularly challenging for complex electronic materials. Here, we demonstrate the closed-loop recycling of emerging multifunctional two-dimensional conjugated metal-organic frameworks (2D c-MOFs) through a mechanochemistry-induced on-demand degradation strategy. Exemplified with 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene (HHTP)–based 2D c-MOFs, we show that ultrasonic cavitation facilitates selective cleavage of metal-ligand linkages in alkaline solutions enabling rapid material degradation (up to 92.4% within 30 min). The HHTP monomers are subsequently recovered with high purity and yield (96.3%), and reused to regenerate 2D c-MOFs, establishing a complete circular material life cycle. Our cradle-to-cradle life-cycle assessment reveals that, compared with direct synthesis, this closed-loop recycling approach substantially reduces both total energy consumption (52 versus 358 MJ kg−1) and greenhouse gas (CO2) emission (4.8 versus 27.4 kg CO2-equiv), thereby substantially lowering the overall environmental impact relative to conventional electronic materials. Moreover, we demonstrate the practical utility of these recyclable 2D c-MOFs in several applications, including hydrogen gas sensors, supercapacitor electrodes, and degradable printed electronic devices. These results highlight the potential of 2D c-MOFs to advance circular electronics, laying the groundwork for a sustainable transformation within the electronics industry.

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ResearchGateOn-demand linkage cleavage in two-dimensional conjugated metal-organic frameworks for closed-loop recyclable electronics
Science Advances 12 (2026).
Q. Guo, S. Shi, N. You, C. Wang, L. Zheng, W. Wang, C. Yi, L. Shu, H. Xu, J. Zhang, L. Riemenschneider, S. Huang, M. Wang, F. Cheng, X. Li, G. Cuniberti, Y. Wu, C. Felser, M. Yu, and X. Feng.
Journal DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aed9532

The rapid growth of modern electronics has intensified concerns about electronic waste management at the end of a product’s life. Integrating closed-loop recyclability, where electronic materials can be efficiently recovered, reprocessed, and reused in regenerated products, is essential for achieving sustainable development, minimizing environmental impact, and realizing long-term economic benefits. However, achieving closed-loop recycling remains particularly challenging for complex electronic materials. Here, we demonstrate the closed-loop recycling of emerging multifunctional two-dimensional conjugated metal-organic frameworks (2D c-MOFs) through a mechanochemistry-induced on-demand degradation strategy. Exemplified with 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene (HHTP)–based 2D c-MOFs, we show that ultrasonic cavitation facilitates selective cleavage of metal-ligand linkages in alkaline solutions enabling rapid material degradation (up to 92.4% within 30 min). The HHTP monomers are subsequently recovered with high purity and yield (96.3%), and reused to regenerate 2D c-MOFs, establishing a complete circular material life cycle. Our cradle-to-cradle life-cycle assessment reveals that, compared with direct synthesis, this closed-loop recycling approach substantially reduces both total energy consumption (52 versus 358 MJ kg−1) and greenhouse gas (CO2) emission (4.8 versus 27.4 kg CO2-equiv), thereby substantially lowering the overall environmental impact relative to conventional electronic materials. Moreover, we demonstrate the practical utility of these recyclable 2D c-MOFs in several applications, including hydrogen gas sensors, supercapacitor electrodes, and degradable printed electronic devices. These results highlight the potential of 2D c-MOFs to advance circular electronics, laying the groundwork for a sustainable transformation within the electronics industry.

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©https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aed9532
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