Mg-based metallic glass nanowires with excellent photothermal effect

Metallic nanostructures are important for the research and application of photothermal effects, especially in the emerging field of photothermal therapy, where metallic glasses (MGs) are promising candidates. However, the currently prepared nanostructures mainly focus on noble metal-based MGs systems with excellent thermoplastic forming ability, while less research has been done on the nanostructure fabrication of biocompatible systems. Here we demonstrate that the diameter-adjustable and biocompatible Mg-based MG nanowires can be successfully fabricated. Nanowires exhibit excellent photothermal effects due to their unique structure, which is important for photothermal therapy. Under the irradiation of 2 W cm(-2) power laser, the maximum temperature of nano-engineered surface can reach similar to 71 degrees C in a short time of about 20 s. The excellent photothermal imaging results were also demonstrated. This work opens a window not only to fabricate the low-cost MG nanowires, but to discover potential applications such as photothermal therapy, desalination and solar fuel etc.

Automated summary

This study successfully fabricated diameter-adjustable and biocompatible Mg-based metallic glass nanowires and demonstrated their importance in photothermal effects and photothermal therapy.