Steric Hindrance-Controlled Laser Switch Based on Pure Metal–Organic Framework Microcrystals

In this work, we demonstrated a steric hindrance-controlled laser switch in pure MOF microcrystals. The well-faceted MOF microwires with aggregation-induced emission lumnogens (AIEgens) as linkers function as typical Fabry–Perot microlasers. The steric hindrance around the AIE linkers can be reduced by the loss of guest molecules, which lead to the enhanced rotation of linkers with a red-shifted gain behavior. On this basis, the gain region was readily switched through changing the steric hindrance via the desorption/adsorption of guests. As a result, the reversible switching of the dual-wavelength lasing from the MOF microwires was achieved. The results provide a promising route to the rational design of versatile micro/nanolasers with desired applications.