Heat generation by branched Au/Pd nanocrystals: influence of morphology and composition. Issue 41 (4th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quintanilla, Marta; Kuttner, Christian; Smith, Joshua D.; Seifert, Andreas; Skrabalak, Sara E.; Liz-Marzán, Luis M.
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 11:Issue 41(2019)
• Page Start: 19561
• Page End: 19570
• Publication Date: 2019-10-04
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c9nr05679c
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : The heating ability of bimetallic octopods strongly depends on their size, branch dimensions and gold-palladium ratio. Abstract : Bimetallic gold–palladium particles were originally proposed as catalysts with tunable reaction rates. Following the development of synthesis routes that offer better control on the morphology and composition of the particles, novel optical sensing functionalities were more recently proposed. Since temperature is a fundamental parameter that interplays with every other proposed application, we studied the light-to-heat conversion ability of Au/Pd bimetallic nanoparticles with a regular octapodal shape. Both compositional (Au-to-Pd ratio) and structural (diagonal tip-to-tip distance and tip width) characteristics were screened and found to be essential control parameters to promote light absorption and efficient conversion into heat. Electromagnetic simulations reveal that the Pd content, and specifically its distribution inside the branched particle geometry, has a profound impact on the optical properties and is an essential criterion for efficient heating. Notably, the optical and photothermal responses are shown to remain stable throughout extended illumination, with no noticeable structural changes to the branched nanocrystals due to heat generation.