Photothermal behaviour of titanium nitride nanoparticles evaluated by transient X-ray diffraction

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Physical Chemistry

Background:

• Metal nitrides, particularly titanium nitride (TiN), are recognized for their valuable photothermal properties.
• These properties enable diverse applications in solar energy conversion, photothermal therapies, photoreactions, and thermochromic windows.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the photothermal response of titanium nitride (TiN) nanoparticles.
• To characterize the dynamic changes in the TiN lattice structure upon optical excitation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized transient X-ray diffraction synchronized with optical excitation.
• Analyzed photoinduced diffraction data to determine lattice spacing changes.
• Calibrated results against static, temperature-dependent diffraction patterns.

Main Results:

• Observed transient lattice heating of TiN nanoparticles (20 nm and 50 nm) up to approximately 175 °C.
• Found sublinear increases in lattice temperature with increasing excitation intensity due to heat capacity effects.
• Measured unexpectedly slower cooling rates at higher excitation intensities, attributed to proximal solvent heating.

Conclusions:

• TiN nanoparticles demonstrate significant photothermal effects under optical excitation.
• The study provides quantitative insights into lattice dynamics and thermal behavior of TiN nanoparticles.
• Findings highlight the influence of excitation intensity and solvent interactions on nanoparticle thermal response.