| Photoexcitation of the surface plasmon in gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) results in the production of high temperatures at the nanoparticle surface in what is referred to as the photothermal effect. The heat from this phenomenon is rapidly generated (∼10 ps) and is highly localized (< 20 nm), providing high resolution temporal and spatial control over a molecular-scale heat source. Thus far, this heat has been utilized to ablate cancer cells, run high temperature reactions, and decompose polymers. However, little is known about the constructive power and the temperatures achieved by this effect, and more importantly, the properties that influence our control over this heat. The work in this dissertation demonstrates the general applicability of photothermal heat to various chemical transformations, such as bond formation, and utilizes kinetic data to estimate photothermal temperatures. We also investigate other materials as potential photothermal agents. Collectively, this work provides a better understanding of the photothermal effect, and establishes it as a well-controlled and on-demand heat source. |
