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Guglielmelli A.♦, Pierini F., Tabiryan N.♦, Umeton C.♦, Bunning T.J.♦, De Sio L.♦, Thermoplasmonics with gold nanoparticles: a new weapon in modern optics and biomedicine,
Advanced Photonics Research, ISSN: 2699-9293, DOI: 10.1002/adpr.202000198, Vol.2, No.8, pp.2000198-1-17, 2021Abstract: Thermoplasmonics deals with the generation and manipulation of nanoscale heating associated with noble metallic nanoparticles. To this end, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are unique nanomaterials with the intrinsic capability to generate a nanoscale confined light-triggered thermal effect. This phenomenon is produced under the excitation of a suitable light of a wavelength that matches the localized surface plasmonic resonance frequency of AuNPs. Liquid crystals (LCs) and hydrogels are temperature-sensitive materials that can detect the host AuNPs and their photo-induced temperature variations. In this perspective, new insight into thermoplasmonics, by describing a series of methodologies for monitoring, detecting, and exploiting the photothermal properties of AuNPs, is offered. From conventional infrared thermography to highly sophisticated temperature-sensitive materials such as LCs and hydrogels, a new scenario in thermoplasmonic-based, next generation, photonic components is presented and discussed. Moreover, a new road in thermoplasmonic-driven biomedical applications, by describing compelling and innovative health technologies such as on-demand drug-release and smart face masks with smart nano-assisted destruction of pathogens, is proposed. The latter represents a new weapon in the fight against COVID-19.Thermoplasmonics deals with the generation and manipulation of nanoscale heating associated with noble metallic nanoparticles. To this end, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are unique nanomaterials with the intrinsic capability to generate a nanoscale confined light-triggered thermal effect. This phenomenon is produced under the excitation of a suitable light of a wavelength that matches the localized surface plasmonic resonance frequency of AuNPs. Liquid crystals (LCs) and hydrogels are temperature-sensitive materials that can detect the host AuNPs and their photo-induced temperature variations. In this perspective, new insight into thermoplasmonics, by describing a series of methodologies for monitoring, detecting, and exploiting the photothermal properties of AuNPs, is offered. From conventional infrared thermography to highly sophisticated temperature-sensitive materials such as LCs and hydrogels, a new scenario in thermoplasmonic-based, next generation, photonic components is presented and discussed. Moreover, a new road in thermoplasmonic-driven biomedical applications, by describing compelling and innovative health technologies such as on-demand drug-release and smart face masks with smart nano-assisted destruction of pathogens, is proposed. The latter represents a new weapon in the fight against COVID-19. Affiliations:
Guglielmelli A. | - | University of Calabria (IT) | Pierini F. | - | IPPT PAN | Tabiryan N. | - | other affiliation | Umeton C. | - | University of Calabria (IT) | Bunning T.J. | - | other affiliation | De Sio L. | - | Sapienza University of Rome (IT) |
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Pierini F., Guglielmelli A.♦, Urbanek O., Nakielski P., Pezzi L.♦, Buda R.♦, Lanzi M.♦, Kowalewski T.A., De Sio L.♦, Thermoplasmonic‐activated hydrogel based dynamic light attenuator,
Advanced Optical Materials, ISSN: 2195-1071, DOI: 10.1002/adom.202000324, Vol.8, No.12, pp.2000324-1-7, 2020Abstract: This work describes the morphological, optical, and thermo‐optical properties of a temperature‐sensitive hydrogel poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐N‐isopropylmethacrylamide) [P(NIPAm‐co‐NIPMAm]) film containing a specific amount of gold nanorods (GNRs). The light‐induced thermoplasmonic heating of GNRs is used to control the optical scattering of an initially transparent hydrogel film. A hydrated P(NIPAm‐co‐NIPMAm) film is optically clear at room temperature. When heated to temperatures over 37 °C via light irradiation with a resonant source (λ = 810 nm) to the GNRs, a reversible phase transition from a swollen hydrated state to a shrunken dehydrated state occurs. This phenomenon causes a drastic and reversible change in the optical transparency from a clear to an opaque state. A significant red shift (≈30 nm) of the longitudinal band can also be seen due to an increased average refractive index surrounding the GNRs. This change is in agreement with an ad hoc theoretical model which uses a modified Gans theory for ellipsoidal nanoparticles. Morphological analysis of the composite film shows the presence of well‐isolated and randomly dispersed GNRs. Thermo‐optical experiments demonstrate an all‐optically controlled light attenuator (65% contrast ratio) which can be easily integrated in several modern optical applications such as smart windows and light‐responsive optical attenuators. Keywords: active plasmonics, gold nanorods, hydrogels, optical attenuators, optical transparency, plasmonic nanoparticles, polymers Affiliations:
Pierini F. | - | IPPT PAN | Guglielmelli A. | - | University of Calabria (IT) | Urbanek O. | - | IPPT PAN | Nakielski P. | - | IPPT PAN | Pezzi L. | - | other affiliation | Buda R. | - | Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences (PL) | Lanzi M. | - | University of Bologna (IT) | Kowalewski T.A. | - | IPPT PAN | De Sio L. | - | Sapienza University of Rome (IT) |
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