Comparison of alternative gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) produced by laser ablation technique for photothermal therapy applications

In this study, AuNPs were fabricated by pulse laser ablation using different liquids as a potential alternative solution for photothermal therapy applications. The effects of the liquids used on the optical, structural, surface and physicochemical properties of AuNPs were determined and compared in order to assess their potential use in photothermal therapy applications. Nanoparticles with a more uniform band structure were obtained by reducing the average radius, particle size and porosity of AuNPs. A strong surface resonance peak (SPR) was obtained by reducing the band sag of AuNPs with NaOH liquid, resulting in an increase in light absorption. The surface morphology changed from a layered structure to a nanorod-like structure and needle-like structure. These results indicate that AuNPs produced in NaOH liquid are more favourable for photothermal therapy applications than AuNPs produced in other liquids due to their increased absorbance, strong SPR peaks, nanorod structures and low porosity.