The photothermal conversion ability of the sAuNRs is illustrated
in Fig. 1c. After irradiation with an 808 nm NIR light for 15 min, the
temperature of the sAuNRs in the solution increases by about
42.5 C, whereas that of pure water only increases by about 1.3 C,
indicating that the sAuNRs can rapidly and efficiently convert NIR
light into thermal energy. Furthermore, by means of a previously
reported method [55], the photothermal conversion efficiency of
sAuNRs is ~21%, which is the same as that reported from 14 nm
diameter bAuNRs [43].