Fig. 3: Photothermal activity of the molecular heater.

a, TEM image of MOF rods obtained through heating under photothermal conditions at 120 °C for 2 h (using 660 nm LED), along with b-c, SEM images at high b, and, low c, magnifications exhibiting their morphology. Scale bars are b, 5 µm, and c, 10 µm. d, Photothermal response of the DMF (control), DHBDC, and metal precursor under green light exposure (maximum temperature set at 200 °C for 30 min). e, Photothermal stability test for the metal precursor under green light for 2 h (maximum and minimum temperature set at 120 °C and 100 °C respectively). Similarly, f, photothermal response of the DMF (control), DHBDC, and metal precursor under red light exposure (maximum temperature set at 200 °C for 30 min). g, Photothermal stability test for the metal precursor under red light for 2 h (maximum and minimum temperature set at 120 °C and 100 °C respectively). h, Photothermal activity of the MOF at various wavelength (typically at 520 nm or 660 nm) showing correspondences with the light absorption (Fig. 2h). i, Photothermal response of the molecular heater and the MOF at two different wavelengths employed (under green LED: 520 nm and red LED: 660 nm, with SD represented as error bars). Source data are provided as a Source Data file.