Plasmonic Properties of Individual Bismuth Nanoparticles

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.