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Hexagonal Bismuthene and Bismuth Nanoparticles for Light-To-Heat Conversion
Marta Alcaraz1, Pau Congost-Escoin1, Christian Dolle1
1Instituto de Ciencia Molecular (ICMol), Universidad de Valencia, 46980 Paterna, Spain.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|August 28, 2025
Summary
Bismuth nanomaterials, including hexagonal bismuthene and spherical bismuth nanoparticles, show promising light-to-heat conversion (LHC) efficiency. Spherical bismuth nanoparticles (sBiNPs) are particularly effective, offering a viable alternative to gold nanoparticles for thermo-optical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Optics
Background:
- Bismuth is an inexpensive, biocompatible semimetal with unique electronic properties enabling light absorption across a wide spectrum.
- Its optical absorption characteristics make it suitable for applications like computed tomography, photocatalysis, and photothermal therapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the unexplored thermo-optical response of hexagonal bismuthene (hBi) and spherical bismuth nanoparticles (sBiNPs).
- To evaluate the light-to-heat conversion (LHC) performance of bismuth nanomaterials as potential alternatives to plasmonic nanoparticles.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis and characterization of hexagonal bismuthene (hBi) and spherical bismuth nanoparticles (sBiNPs).
- Measurement of light-to-heat conversion (LHC) efficiency using Raman thermometry under laser excitation (633 nm, 2.1 mW).
- Comparative analysis of LHC performance against functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).
Main Results:
- Bismuth nanomaterials demonstrate significant light-to-heat conversion capabilities.
- Spherical bismuth nanoparticles (sBiNPs) reached a maximum temperature of 400 K, showing competitive LHC efficiency.
- Hexagonal bismuthene (hBi) reached 325 K, with its performance influenced by thermal diffusion in the 2D system.
Conclusions:
- Bismuth nanoparticles and bismuthene show potential for thermo-optical applications.
- Spherical bismuth nanoparticles (sBiNPs) exhibit particularly strong LHC performance, rivaling gold nanoparticles.
- The study highlights the influence of material structure and thermal properties on LHC efficiency in bismuth nanostructures.
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