Use of embedded metal nanoparticles as photothermal heaters in polymer nanocomposites

~Embedded metallic nanoparticles within polymer nanofibers can internally heat and thus thermally-modify (soften, melt, or bond) polymer composites when irradiated with visible light via excitation and non-radiative relaxation of the nanoparticle surface plasmon resonance. ~Because the heating originates at the nanoparticle surface and propagates outward, a strong spatial temperature gradient exists. ~We discuss a non-contact, temperature-sensitive fluorescence technique to determine local temperature within the composite, which utilizes changes in the emission spectrum of perylene......,\footnote{Bur, A. J.; Vangel, M. G.; Roth, S. \textit{Applied Spectroscopy }\textbf{2002,} 56, (2), 174-181.} in addition to determining temperature from changes in polymer morphology. The efficacy of plasmonic heating in different morphologies (nanofibers/films) as well as its effect on material mechanical properties when heated between T$_{g}$ and T$_{m}$ is discussed. The spatial specificity of the photothermal heating as determined by the nanoparticle location represents a unique nanoprocessing tool.