The irradiation of spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with nanosecond laser pulses induces shape transformations yielding nanocrystals with an inner cavity. The concentration of the stabilizing surfactant, the use of moderate pulse fluences, and the size of the irradiated AuNPs determine the efficiency of the process and the nature of the void. Hollow nanocrystals are obtained when molecules from the surrounding medium (e.g., water and organic matter derived from the surfactant) are trapped during laser pulse irradiation. These experimental observations suggest the existence of a subtle balance between the heating and cooling processes experienced by the nanocrystals, which induce their expansion and subsequent recrystallization keeping exogenous matter inside. The described approach provides valuable insight into the mechanism of interaction of a pulsed nanosecond laser with AuNPs, along with interesting prospects for the development of hollow plasmonic nanoparticles with potential applications related to gas and liquid storage at the nanoscale.

中文翻译：

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通过纳秒激光辐照形成空心金纳米晶体。

纳秒级激光脉冲对球形金纳米颗粒（AuNPs）的辐照会引起形状转换，从而产生带有内腔的纳米晶体。稳定表面活性剂的浓度，中等脉冲通量的使用以及被辐照的AuNP的大小决定了工艺的效率和空隙的性质。当来自周围介质的分子（例如，水和源自表面活性剂的有机物）在激光脉冲照射过程中被捕获时，会获得空心纳米晶体。这些实验观察结果表明，纳米晶体经历的加热和冷却过程之间存在微妙的平衡，这导致了纳米晶体的膨胀和随后的重结晶，从而将外来物质保留在内部。