Multicolor Random Lasers Based on Perovskite Quantum Dots Embedded in Intrinsic Pb–MOFs

Perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) have attracted extensive attention for various applications due to their hallmark optoelectronic properties. However, PQD gain materials are usually needed to be integrated with an external cavity to acquire effective optical feedback for lasing oscillation, which generally suffers from stringent fabrication procedures and the destruction of their pristine gain performance. In this work, we propose an approach to realize a new class of random lasers that are constructed by in situ precipitating perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) in metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Such random lasers make full use of the combined merits of MOFs showing a high refractive index and a broad transmission window and that of PQDs exhibiting high optical gain. A lead-based MOF is utilized as a matrix, which allows us to grow PQDs at the Pb2+ sites in situ and thus produce high-density PQDs gain in MOFs. We experimentally demonstrate low-threshold multicolor random lasers achieved in the visible spectral range with different wavelengths through compositional modulation in the nanoporous environment of MOF nanostructures and illustrate potential applications of the developed PQDs@MOFs random laser as the illumination source in the speckle-free optical imaging. This study will pave the way for the construction of perovskite-based lasing in multifunctional systems.