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Manipulating nanoparticles based on a laser photothermal trap
Summary
Researchers developed a laser-based photothermal trap for precise directional manipulation of nanoparticles. The technique uses localized heating to generate fluid flows that move nanoparticles in a controlled direction. While focused on optics and nanoparticle manipulation, the method could potentially be adapted for concentrating nanoplastic particles from liquid samples.
A method of efficient directional optical manipulation of nanoparticles based on a laser photothermal trap is proposed, and the influence mechanism of external conditions on the photothermal trap is clarified. Through optical manipulation experiments and finite-element simulations, it is determined that the main cause of gold nanoparticle directional motion depends on the drag force. The laser power, boundary temperature, and thermal conductivity of the substrate at the bottom of the solution and liquid level essentially affect the intensity of the laser photothermal trap in the solution and then affect the directional movement and deposition speed of gold particles. The result shows the origin of the laser photothermal trap and the three-dimensional spatial velocity distribution of gold particles. It also clarifies the height boundary of photothermal effect onset, which clarifies the boundary between light force and photothermal effect. In addition, nanoplastics are manipulated successfully based on this theoretical study. In this study, the movement law of gold nanoparticles based on the photothermal effect is deeply analyzed through experiments and simulations, which is of significance to the theoretical study of the optical manipulation of nanoparticles using the photothermal effect.