Photothermal stability of biologically and chemically synthesized gold nanoprisms

We report here the influence of the irradiation with femtosecond laser pulses on the gold nanoprisms synthesized using biological and chemical methods. For the bio-mediated growth, we used plant extract as a source of reducing, structure-directing, and stabilizing agents, while for the chemical method, we applied three-step protocol, involving chemicals commonly used in the synthesis of nanostructures. Exposition of the nanostructures to the laser beam causes morphological changes, which affect their extinction spectra. These modifications were followed using absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The observed effects depend on the applied laser power and excitation wavelength. Under resonance conditions, rounding of the tips of triangular nanoparticles and transformation towards more stable, spherical form were noticed. These changes were faster under higher laser power. Such shape modifications were weaker under off-resonance conditions. Moreover, chemically synthesized gold nanoprisms were less susceptible to the morphological changes than those obtained using plant extract; however, their colloidal stability was disrupted by long-time irradiation. Graphical abstractᅟ.