Triton X-100 for three-plasmon gold nanostars with two photothermally active NIR (near IR) and SWIR (short-wavelength IR) channels

Five-branched gold nanostars are obtained using Triton X-100 in a seed-growth synthesis. They have the uncommon feature of two intense localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) in the 600-900 and 1100-1600 nm ranges. Both LSPRs convert laser radiation into heat, offering two photothermally active channels in the NIR and SWIR ranges.