Laser-induced nano-heater performance of B4C submicrometer spherical particles fabricated by pulsed laser melting in liquid

Gold nanoparticles as promising nano-heater particles utilizing surface plasmon resonance have been extensively studied for various chemical and medical applications, even though the suitable wavelength for nano-heater is only in the visible range and possible maximum temperature is limited due to its relatively low melting point. About a decade ago, a technique called pulsed laser melting in liquid (PLML) was developed to fabricate submicrometer spherical particles as main products. In this process, particles in the submicrometer size range are effectively heated over the melting point by laser irradiation, indicating that submicrometer spherical particles can be developed as novel heater particles that may overcome the drawback of gold nanoparticles. This study examined the potentials of PLML-fabricated B4C submicrometer spherical particles as nano-heater particles since B4C has a wider optical absorption wavelength range and higher melting point than gold. From the thermal modification induced by melting the materials in contact with the B4C particles, the highest attained temperature was estimated by laser irradiation. This experiment showed that B4C particles have sufficient response in 300–1100 nm wavelength range and can act as nano-heater even at temperatures over 2000 K. Thus, B4C submicrometer spherical particles can be used as novel space-selective heater particles.