Probing the Photothermal Effect of Gold‐Based Nanocages with Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)

Abstract
A spectral thermometer: The conformation of molecules on a metallic nanoparticle's surface is sensitive to temperature variations and can be easily monitored in situ by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Excitation of the metallic nanoparticle for SERS can concurrently induce a photothermal effect whereby the light absorbed by the nanoparticle is released as heat. From the SERS spectra, the changes in temperature during the photothermal effect can be derived (see picture).