We report on photo-thermal effects observed in gold nanoparticles (GNPs) dispersed in Nematic Liquid Crystals (NLCs). Under a suitable optical radiation, GNPs exhibit a strong light absorption/scattering; the effect depends on the refractive index of the medium surrounding the nanoparticles, which can be electrically or optically tuned. In this way, the system represents an ideal nano-source of heat, remotely controllable by light to adjust the temperature at the nanoscale. Photo-induced temperature variations in GNPs dispersed in NLCs have been investigated by implementing a theoretical model based on the thermal heating equation applied to an anisotropic medium; theoretical predictions have been compared with results of experiments carried out in a NLC medium hosting GNPs. Both theory and experiments represent a step forward to understand the physics of heat production at the nanoscale, with applications that range from photonics to nanomedicine.
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Titolo: | Nematic liquid crystals used to control photo-thermal effects in gold nanoparticles |
Autori: | UMETON, Cesare Paolo [Membro del Collaboration Group] |
Data di pubblicazione: | 2016 |
Serie: | |
Handle: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11770/308658 |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 4.1 Contributo in Atti di convegno |