I_PT: An Index to Rank Molecular Photothermal Agents

Abstract

Recently, a large variety of photothermal agents have been developed and are currently under study, owing to their wide range of applications. Nonetheless, a comparison of their relative performances remains a challenge, and it appears that no tool is yet available for rationalizing the data reported in the literature. Indeed, we demonstrate in this paper that neither the temperature increase (ΔT) nor the photothermal efficiency (η) are sufficient to account for the performance of a photothermal agent. From this observation, we propose that a new index, I PTmax , could be used, in order to properly rank molecular photothermal agents according to their efficacy for converting light into heat, in a similar fashion that brilliance is used to compare luminescence properties.

Investigations of the Photothermal Properties of a Series of Molecular Gold‐bis(dithiolene) Complexes Absorbing in the NIR‐III Region

“…For these reasons, in order to better rank the molecular PTAs, a new photothermal index (I PT ) strongly resembling the brilliance in fluorescence, which accounts for both the absorption coefficient and the photothermal yield, was recently introduced [Eq. ] [31] $$$\vcenter{\openup.5em\halign{$\displaystyle{#}$\cr {I}_{PT}\left(\lambda \right)={10}^{-5}{\varepsilon{} }_{\lambda }.\eta \hfill\cr}}$$$ …”

Nanoprecipitation of Biocompatible Poly(malic acid) Derivative, Its Ability to Encapsulate a Molecular Photothermal Agent and Photothermal Properties of the Resulting Nanoparticles

“…A PMLABe 73 polymer was synthesized as previously described [26]. Briefly, 1.4 mg of tetraethyl ammonium benzoate (initiator) was first dried under vacuum overnight in order to eliminate any trace of water.…”

“…Under laser irradiation in the NIR region Ni8C12 is a highly stable hydrophobic photothermal agent. The photothermal properties of this metal complex were deeply investigated in solution and it has a photothermal conversion efficiency of 48% under 940 nm laser irradiation in toluene [26].…”