Plasmonic Properties of Individual Bismuth Nanoparticles

Abstract

Bismuth nanoparticles are being investigated due to their reported photothermal and photocatalytic properties. In this study, we synthesized spherical bismuth nanoparticles (50–600 nm) and investigated their structural and optical properties at the single-particle level using analytical transmission electron microscopy. Our experimental results, supported by numerical simulations, demonstrate that bismuth nanoparticles support localized surface plasmon resonances, which can be tuned from the near-infrared to the near-ultraviolet spectral region by changing the nanoparticle size. Furthermore, plasmonic resonances demonstrate stability across the entire spectral bandwidth, enhancing the attractiveness of bismuth nanoparticles for applications over a wide spectral range. Bismuth’s lower cost, biocompatibility, and oxidation resistance make bismuth nanoparticles a suitable candidate for utilization, particularly in large-scale and even industrial plasmonic applications.