This book highlights the theoretical foundations of and experimental techniques in photothermal heating and applications involving nanoscale heat generation using gold nanostructures embedded in various media. The experimental techniques presented involve a combination of nanothermometers doped with rare-earth atoms, plasmonic heaters and near-field microscopy. The theoretical foundations are based on the Maxwell’s and heat diffusion equations. In particular, the working principle and application of AlGaN:Er3+ film, Er2O3 nanoparticles and β-NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ nanocrystals for nanothermometry based on Er3+ emission are discussed. The relationship between superheated liquid and bubble formation for optically excited nanostructures and the effects of the surrounding medium and solution properties on light absorption and scattering are presented. The application of Er2O3 and β-NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ nanocrystals to study the temperature of optically heated gold nanoparticles is also presented. In closing, the book presents a new thermal imaging technique combining near-field microscopy and Er3+ photoluminescence spectroscopy to monitor the photothermal heating and steady-state sub-diffraction local temperature of optically excited gold nanostructures.

Handbook of Nanomaterials for Wastewater Treatment: Fundamentals and Scale up Issues provides coverage of the nanomaterials used for wastewater treatment, covering photocatalytic nanocomposite materials, nanomaterials used as adsorbents, water remediation processes, and their current status and challenges. The book explores the major applications of nanomaterials for effective catalysis and adsorption, also providing in-depth information on the properties and application of new advanced nanomaterials for wastewater treatment processes. This is an important reference source for researchers who need to solve basic and advanced problems relating to the use of nanomaterials for the development of wastewater treatment processes and technologies. As nanotechnology has the potential to substantially improve current water and wastewater treatment processes, the synthesis methods and physiochemical properties of nanomaterials and noble metal nanoparticles make their performance and mechanisms efficient for the treatment of various pollutants. - Explains the properties of the most commonly used nanomaterials used for wastewater treatment - Describes the major nanoscale synthesis and processing techniques for wastewater treatment - Assesses the major challenges for using nanomaterials on a mass scale for wastewater treatment

Photoacoustic and Photothermal Spectroscopy: Principles and Applications introduces the basic principles, instrumentation and major developments in the many applications of Photoacoustic and Photothermal Spectroscopy over the last three decades. The book explains the processes of sound generation by periodic optical excitation and ultrasonic generation by pulsed laser excitation and describes the workings of photoacoustic cells equipped with microphones and piezoelectric transducers. Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is one of the fastest-growing imaging modalities of recent times. It combines the advantages of ultrasound and optical imaging techniques. These non-invasive and non-destructive techniques offer many benefits to users by enabling spectroscopy of opaque and inhomogeneous materials, (solid, liquid, powder, gel, gases) without any sample preparation, and more. - Written in a non-mathematical, simple-to-read manner - Presents recent developments in the field, along with the scope of future progress, including up-to-date references - Includes detailed illustrations, such as equipment layout, spectra, experimental setups, tables, photographs, and more

Plasmonics is an important branch of optics concerned with the interaction of metals with light. Under appropriate illumination, metal nanoparticles can exhibit enhanced light absorption, becoming nanosources of heat that can be precisely controlled. This book provides an overview of the exciting new field of thermoplasmonics and a detailed discussion of its theoretical underpinning in nanophotonics. This topic has developed rapidly in the last decade, and is now a highly-active area of research due to countless applications in nanoengineering and nanomedicine. These important applications include photothermal cancer therapy, drug and gene delivery, nanochemistry and photothermal imaging. This timely and self-contained text is suited to all researchers and graduate students working in plasmonics, nano-optics and thermal-induced processes at the nanoscale.

Nano-Optics: Fundamentals, Experimental Methods, and Applications offers insights into the fundamentals and industrial applications of nanoscale light-emitting materials and their composites. This book serves as a reference, offering an overview of existing research, with a particular focus on industrial applications. Nano-optics is the branch of nanoscience and nanotechnology that deals with interaction of light with nanoscale objects. This book explores the materials, structure, manufacturing techniques, and industrial applications of nano-optics. The applications discussed include healthcare, communication, astronomy, and satellites. - Explains the major manufacturing techniques for light-emitting nanoscale materials - Discusses how nanoscale optical materials are being used in a range of industrial applications - Assesses the challenges of using nano-optics in a mass-production context

This book introduces the latest advances made in both fundamental studies and potential applications of upconversion nanomaterials, particularly in the field of high-resolution in vitro bioanalysis and in vivo imaging. This book starts with the synthesis and characterization, and focuses on applications ranging from materials science to biology. Above all, it describes cutting-edge advances in upconversion nanophosphor (UCNP)-based applications in multiplexed encoding, guest delivery and release systems, photodynamic therapy (PDT), solar cells, photocatalysis and so on. The major barriers that currently prevent UCNPs from being used in mainstream applications are also presented in detail.

This book presents the state-of-the-art coverage of optical materials and their application in various areas. The contents range from basic principles to quantum cutting luminescent materials, advances in plasmonic and photonic substrate-coupled fluorescence, lanthanide doped materials for optical applications, thermoluminescence and optical material for sensing radioactive elements. It also discusses synthesis, characterization and properties of optical materials including nanomaterials, luminescent nanomaterials for anti-counterfeiting, carbon materials-based nanoscale optics and plasmonics, optoelectronics applications of two dimensional materials and applications of lanthanide ion-doped phosphors. This book is of immense value to those in academia and industry working in the areas of material science, especially optical materials.