Institute of Fundamental Technological Research

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.

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.

active plasmonics, gold nanorods, hydrogels, optical attenuators, optical transparency, plasmonic nanoparticles, polymers

Stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems are gaining a lot of interest due to their numerous advantages, especially when compared to conventional pharmaceutical dosage forms. One of the examples is photo stimulation that together with nanometer size agents, having high absorption in the near-infrared region, generate heat due to the interaction with light. Stimuli-responsive hydrogels with gold nanorods (AuNRs), that are used as photothermal converters, can aid in releasing drugs on-demand with a fast release rate through different mechanisms. Here we report an easy method for preparing AuNRs encapsulated in a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) hydrogel that release water-soluble drugs due to photo stimulation. PNIPAm-AuNRs demonstrated remote, pulsatile drug release and ex vivo action after irradiation using a NIR laser. Morphological and chemical characterization as well as drug release studies were carried out to confirm the material’s ability to supply different doses of drugs on demand and to study the release mechanism. By combining the photothermal property of AuNRs and thermal-responsive effect of PNIPAm, the hydrogel shows fast thermal/photoresponse, high heating rate, high structural integrity and increased drug release due to phase change mechanism.

drug delivery systems, nanofibers