Using Papercraft Models to Introduce Metal–Organic Frameworks to Students

Abstract

The author teaches a chemistry laboratory course with many students who are not chemistry majors. To attract and hold their interest, the author has presented several brief lectures using different approaches to introduce cutting-edge chemistry topics. In a recent lecture on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), the author developed papercraft models to illustrate their rational design, assembled structures, and properties. The papercraft models comprise cardboard imprinted with molecular structures and paper clips, so they are low-tech, inexpensive, and lightweight. Their structure is neither too vague nor too specific, which made it easy for the students to grasp the characteristics of MOFs. A questionnaire survey conducted afterward revealed that many students received the lecture favorably.