Photothermal Effects in Gold Nanoparticle Systems
Summary
Gold nanoparticles exhibit unique abilities to absorb light and convert it into heat via non-radiative decay of plasmon excitations. When illuminated at wavelengths matching their localised surface plasmon resonance, electrons oscillate coherently and dissipate energy as heat, raising the temperature of both individual particles and their surroundings. This photothermal effect underpins a spectrum of applications ranging from cancer therapy and controlled drug release to nanofabrication and optical data storage. By tailoring particle size, shape and the dielectric environment, researchers can optimise absorption spectra and thermal response times. In biomedical contexts, gold nanorods and nanoshells are engineered to maximise photothermal conversion under near-infrared irradiation, enabling precise tumour ablation with minimal damage to healthy tissue. In materials science, localised heating is harnessed to induce morphological transformations—such as melting, reshaping or fusion—thus creating hollow or core–shell architectures with tunable optical signatures. Advances in ultrafast laser techniques allow sub-picosecond control of heat deposition, paving the way for rapid synthesis of complex nanostructures. Across disciplines, the interplay of optical absorption, heat diffusion and fluid dynamics in nanoparticle systems continues to reveal new pathways for energy conversion, sensing and actuation at the nanoscale.
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Photothermal Effects in Gold Nanoparticle Systems publication trend
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Technical terms
Localised surface plasmon resonance: Resonant oscillation of conduction electrons in a nanoparticle induced by incident light, leading to enhanced field intensity and absorption.
Photothermal conversion: Process by which absorbed photon energy is dissipated as heat within a material through non-radiative electronic relaxation.
Femtosecond laser: Laser system emitting pulses on the order of 10⁻¹⁵ seconds, enabling ultrafast deposition of optical energy.
Thermal reshaping: Morphological transformation of nanoparticles driven by localised heating, affecting geometry and plasmonic response.
Nanorod: Elongated metallic nanoparticle with anisotropic shape, used to tune absorption peaks and photothermal efficiency.
References
- From Multi- to Single-Hollow Trimetallic Nanocrystals by Ultrafast Heating. Chemistry of Materials (2023).
- Light-Driven Nanonetwork Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles via 3D Printing for Optical Sensors. ACS Applied Nano Materials (2024).
- 3D characterization of heat-induced morphological changes of Au nanostars by fast in situ electron tomography. Nanoscale (2018).
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