This research reports the next generation of solid-state triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) host material (polycaprolactone, PCL) for highly efficient, processable, and biocompatible solid-state TTA-UC. UC PCL was successfully fabricated using...

Ice accumulation on vessels, airplanes, or on the off-shore plants surfaces causes major accidents and difficulties in operation. Therefore, highly efficient and environmentally friendly materials for use as deicing surfaces are in continuous demand. Accordingly, photothermal materials have gained enormous attention owing to their outstanding performance in the removal of ice. Herein, a gold nano-aggregate yolk-shell structure (GNA-YS) was introduced as a deicing material. GNA-YS was homogeneously dispersed in photocurable polyurethane acrylate and used to fabricate a highly efficient and sunlight-responsive GNA-YS film. Upon irradiation with an 810 nm light-emitting diode (LED) (135 mW cm−2), the temperature of the GNA-YS film increased by approximately 70 °C within 2 min, which rapidly (within 6 min) melted the accumulated ice. Moreover, the GNA-YS film exhibited a temperature increase of 15 °C in a refrigerator under LED illumination for 1 min. Additionally excellent stability was confirmed through repeated experiments. The newly developed deicing GNA-YS film has prospective applicability in vessels or airplanes.

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The localized surface plasmon resonance of metallic nanoparticles has attracted much attention owing to its unique characteristics, including the enhancement of signals in sensors and photothermal effects. In particular, hollow gold nanostructures are highly promising for practical applications, with significant advantages being found in their material properties and structures: 1) the interaction between the outer surface plasmon mode and inner cavity mode leads to a greater resonance, allowing it to absorb near-infrared light, which can readily penetrate tissue; 2) it has anti-corrosiveness and good biocompatibility, which makes it suitable for biomedical applications; 3) it shows a reduced net density and large surface area, allowing the possibility of nanocarriers for drug delivery. In this review, we present information on the classification, characteristics, and synthetic methods of hollow gold nanostructures; discuss the recent advances in hollow gold nanostructures in biomedical applications, including biosensing, bioimaging, photothermal therapy, and drug delivery; and report on the existing challenges and prospects for hollow gold nanostructures.