Gold nanorods prepared by ion plasma sputtering (aspect ratio = 1:3) showed optical properties like those of chemically synthesized gold nanorods, exhibiting photothermal effects in the near-infrared region, as demonstrated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and diffuse ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared spectrophotometry.  Therefore, gold nanorod-sputtered titania nanotubes would be expected to enable the continued use of the photothermal therapy of gold nanorods and extend the limited use of titania showing photocatalytic activity only within the ultraviolet-to-near-infrared region.
THERM