Photo-thermal Conversion Process Research Articles

A graphene-CuNWs@PAMPS mixed aerogel for composite phase change materials with high thermal conductivity and excellent solar-thermal to electrical conversion

Phase change materials could store and release heat energy through phase change. However, the shortcomings of low thermal conductivity in the photothermal conversion process and easy leakage in the solid-liquid conversion seriously hinder the application of heat energy utilization. Graphene had high thermal conductivity, and it was an ideal material for improving the solar absorption, solar energy conversion and thermal conductivity of phase change materials. In this paper, a graphene aerogel composed of copper nanowires (CuNWs)/2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS) was designed. The thermal conductivity and shape stability of phase change materials for solar-thermal-electrical conversion applications were enhanced by composite CuNWs. Furthermore, PAMPS was coated on the surface of copper nanowires to avoid the oxidation of copper nanowires, and the sulfonic acid group of PAMPS was used to induce CuNWs to disperse uniformLy on the graphene sheets, which further constructed a good conductive network. After vacuum impregnation of PW, the best thermal conductivity phase change composite (PW-CuNWs@PAMPS-GA(1:1)) was obtained. The PCC loaded with CuNWs with the same graphene content achieved a thermal conductivity of 1.46 W/(m·K) and a high latent heat of 206.8 J/g. The latent heat retention rate was as high as 99.57 %. The photothermal conversion efficiency of PW-CuNWs@PAMPS-GA(1:1) was remarkable at 96.4 %. Due to its excellent solar-thermal-electrical conversion efficiency, the output voltage and output current were 800.8 mV and 85.8 mA, respectively, at a solar analog intensity of 5 kW/m2. Even after the sunlight was stopped, the voltage output could be maintained for a while by releasing the heat energy stored in the phase change composite.

Photothermal Assisted Interfacial Cleaning with Semiconductor‐Based Sorbents: Recent Advances and Future Outlook for Effective Oil Spill Remediation

AbstractOceanic oil spills exert enduring adverse effects on marine ecosystems and human health. In contrast to conventional cleaning methods, advanced oil sorbents present a promising technology characterized by low cost, reduced environmental impact, and exceptional hydrophobicity and oleophilic properties for efficient oil removal from seawater. Despite these advantages, the efficacy of sorbents is hindered by highly viscous oil, impeding the oil/water separation process. To overcome this limitation, solar‐driven sorbents incorporating semiconductor materials are innovatively developed, leveraging increased temperatures to enhance crude oil absorption by reducing viscosity. Herein, a comprehensive review specifically focuses on various semiconductor‐functionalized sorbents for oil spill remediation, elucidating oil weathering and traditional cleaning methods to underscore the complexities and challenges in oil cleaning processes. An in‐depth discussion about the cleaning mechanisms of sorbents and the photothermal conversion processes facilitated by semiconductors is also provided. Additionally, it explores three coupling strategies—Joule heating and solar heating, photothermal effect, and magnetic effect, as well as photothermal and photocatalysis—that offer significant advancements in oil cleanup efficiency. Concluding with forward‐looking insights, the challenges and perspectives for the next generation of ocean oil spill removal technologies are proposed at the end.

Effect of the irradiation intensity on the photo-thermal conversion performance of composite phase change materials: An experimental approach

Composite phase change materials (CPCM) containing photo absorbers are regarded as promising conversion and thermal energy storage materials for solar energy. Understanding the impact of irradiation intensity on the photo-thermal conversion process is of crucial significance for improving the photo-thermal conversion efficiency (PTCE) of CPCM. However, previous studies have overlooked the evolution of temperature patterns and the solid-liquid phase interface in CPCM, posing challenges in revealing photo-thermal conversion characteristics. In response to these challenges, the present study introduces an improved test method that integrates monitoring plane and infrared thermography. Paraffin/graphite nanoparticles CPCM are used as conversion and thermal storage material. The results show that the dominated heat transfer mode in different stages is different, and the natural convection within the liquid CPCM has enhanced the melting process. When the irradiation intensity is increased from 450 W/m2 to 1250 W/m2, the average temperature and average charging rate increase by 33.75% and 197.27%, respectively. At an irradiation intensity of 1050 W/m2, the CPCM achieves the highest overall PTCE of 42.40%, which is an 8.85% increase in contrast to the irradiation intensity of 450 W/m2. The results provide guidance for improving the PTCE of CPCM in the application of direct absorption solar collectors.

Ultralight anisotropic Ti3C2Tx MXene/Carbon nanotube hybrid aerogel for highly efficient solar steam generation

Solar steam generation (SSG) has been considered as a promising method to produce fresh water from seawater. Due to high light absorption and excellent chemical stability, carbon nanotube (CNT) has been widely used for SSG. However, it is still challenge to simultaneously realize high water evaporation rate and energy efficiency for CNT based solar steam generator. Herein, ultralight anisotropic Ti3C2Tx MXene/carbon nanotube (A-Ti3C2Tx/CNT) aerogels are designed and fabricated for highly efficient SSG. The combination of CNT and Ti3C2Tx MXene endows the hybrid aerogel with high light absorption and effective localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), resuting in enhanced light-to-heat conversion efficiency. The porous structure of aerogel leads to multiple scattering and absorption, further contributing to the photothermal conversion process. Moreover, the low thermal conductivity of aerogel structure effectively reduces the heat loss to environment. Through tailoring the anisotropic channel, the A-Ti3C2Tx/CNT hybrid aerogel with average channel size of 80 μm possesses most efficient water transport due to the capillary effect and formation of intermediate water. Therefore, the A-Ti3C2Tx/CNT hybrid aerogel exhibits high average light absorption of 95.68% in the wavelength range of 200–2500 nm, excellent water evaporation rate of 2.10 kg m−2 h−1 under 1 sun irradiation (1 kW m−2) with a high energy efficiency of 93.4%, and remarkable durability with 7 days continuous water evaporation. The A-Ti3C2Tx/CNT hybrid aerogel also shows high resistance to salt crystallization due to its high salt transport flux of 1.90 kg m−2 h−1. This work offers a prospective strategy for constructing highly efficient solar steam generator with stable performance for practical application in seawater desalination.

Recent Advancement in Solar‐Driven Interfacial Steam Generation for Desalination: A State‐of‐the‐Art Review

Solar energy is one of the most efficient origins of energy for a wide range of environmentally beneficial purposes. Water desalination by steam generation with the help of solar energy is not only an economical and straightforward approach, but it also utilizes free energy sources to solve the problem of increasing freshwater scarcity. Solar water evaporation is an essential component of the low‐energy method for generating fresh water, which is required for economic development and human health. Freshwater productivity determines how effectively the system captures incoming solar energy and transforms it into usable heat. Effective water distillation has recently gained a lot of attention. The photothermal conversion process is built on the performance of the evaporator. This review thoroughly examines the most recent developments in photothermal materials, structure design, and engineering strategies, including design principles for highly efficient photothermal conversion, thermal management, water transport phenomena, salt rejection behavior, and improved evaporation rate. The prospective applications of this technique in saline water desalination, waste water purification, and energy generation are highlighted. Furthermore, the most recent scientific advancements are utilized to demonstrate the potential, prospects, and challenges of solar‐driven evaporation in energy conversion.

2D Materials for Photothermoelectric Detectors: Mechanisms, Materials, and Devices

Abstract2D materials, with outstanding optical, thermal, and electric properties, are emerging as promising candidates for fabricating high‐performance photodetectors. Recently, impressive progresses have been made in this area and some challenges are remaining to improve the properties of photodetectors. As one important part in the mainstream photodetection mechanisms, photothermoelectric (PTE) effect is showing unique priorities in fabricating advanced photodetectors, especially broadband detection operating in the mid‐infrared and terahertz spectral regime. Here, recent progress on PTE photodetectors based on layered 2D materials is reviewed. The physical mechanism of PTE effect is first discussed and then the optical and thermoelectric properties of various 2D materials are analyzed. Furthermore, strategies to improve the photodetection performance of PTE detectors are summarized in two major categories including enhanced photothermal conversion and thermoelectric conversion processes. Finally, the challenges and prospects for future research in 2D thermoelectric materials and PTE detectors are also provided.

Photothermal conversion-enabled temperature modulation for the growth of complex polymorphic architectures of calcium carbonate

Stepwise temperature modulation was realized by the photothermal conversion process, which enabled the growth of complex architectures of CaCO3 that are composed of multiple polymorphic phases.

Graphene-enhanced phase change material systems: Minimizing optical and thermal losses for solar thermal applications

Photothermal utilization systems with nano-enhanced phase change materials are encouraging due to their high cost-effectiveness, tunability, and sustainability. However, the optical and thermal losses, which have failed to be quantified and suppressed in most previous work, give rise to an intractable challenge for practical applications. Herein, we comprehensively quantify the energy flow during the photothermal conversion and storage processes and propose various strategies to suppress the optical and thermal losses for boosting solar energy utilization via experiments and numerical simulations. The results indicate that a 30 % optical loss is suppressed by introducing graphene into the phase change composite (PCC), leading to a 5.5 % increase in photothermal storage (PTS) efficiency. Compared with the graphene-doped one, the PCC achieves a 5.6 % reduction in conductive thermal loss and a 2.2 % enhancement in PTS efficiency via optimizing insulation materials. Besides, the convective loss is suppressed by employing a transparent aerogel cover, resulting in a 4.3 % increase in PTS efficiency. Furthermore, the radiant thermal loss is reduced by 21.2 % with a thermal mirror due to the reflection of infrared radiation, and thus the PTS efficiency is boosted by 9.5 %. This work's findings offer new insight into optical and thermal management for efficient solar thermal utilization.

A hierarchical core-sheath structure composite fiber of PW/TPU towards elastic smart thermal management fabrics

Elasticity and stability play a crucial role in phase change fibers (PCFs), ensuring both comfort and effective thermal management in fabrics. In this study, we present the development of an elastic and shape-stable phase change fiber through coaxial wet spinning. The fiber consists of a paraffin wax (PW) core encapsulated in a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) sheath, providing reliable protection against leakage during use. The obtained PCFs exhibit a PW loading capacity of up to 64.9 wt% and a heating enthalpy of 117.0 J/g. Notably, these fibers maintain their morphological and thermal stability even after undergoing 50 cycles of heating and cooling treatments. By integrating the PCFs into a fabric and coating the surface with CNTs, the PCFs-based fabric achieves an outstanding photothermal conversion efficiency of 95.1 % under a light intensity of 250 mW/cm2 and an electrothermal conversion efficiency of 73.2 % at a power level of 0.9 W. Furthermore, the fabric, woven with uniformly broken PW core, exhibits excellent tensile resilience in various conditions, including room temperature and during photothermal and electrothermal conversion processes. This study introduces a promising avenue for the development of innovative PCFs, offering significant potential for their application in the realm of personal smart fabrics, particularly in the field of advanced thermal management.

Evaluation and design of photothermal conversion performance for multiple “complex-morphology” nanofluids via bidirectional deep neural network

The optical absorption and scattering of plasmonic nanoparticles are crucial for optimizing photothermal conversion efficiency, which holds great potential in various applications. Evaluating the photothermal conversion performance of nanofluids with known geometry is a computationally expensive task. The design of nanofluids that exhibit optimal photothermal conversion performance poses a complex inverse problem. The necessity to explore a wide parameter space, which encompasses various factors such as the shape, size, and material of nanoparticles, contributes to this challenge. In this study, we employ a combination of machine learning with high-throughput radiative transfer calculations to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the entire photothermal conversion process for various nanofluids. The modulation of resonance absorption peaks and spectral absorption can be achieved by adjusting the shape, material constituents, and geometric parameters of nanoparticles. Meanwhile, we establish a design space dataset that encompasses 14,060 groups of nanofluids. Based on the dataset, we demonstrate as a proof of concept bidirectional deep neural network model that enables an efficient and reliable solution to both the forward and inverse problems. The results show that the absorptivity of SiO2@Au nanofluids is significantly influenced by the volume fraction, particularly when it falls within the range of 1 × 10−5 to 1 × 10−4. However, the impact is significantly reduced within the range of 1 × 10−4 to 1 × 10−3. Furthermore, the SiO2@Au nanofluids exhibit enhanced full spectral absorption characteristics at the core-shell ratio of 0.1. Our proposed model achieves a forward prediction of the solar absorption spectra with 99% accuracy and an inverse design of the geometric parameter with 93% accuracy. In comparison to the experimental results, the relative errors for the predicted and design efficiency are 0.42% and 0.82%, respectively. The design geometry parameters including the effective radius and volume fraction exhibit relative errors of 3.88% and 1.6%, respectively. This work provides a widely applicable and computationally efficient method for the evaluation and design of nanofluids in photothermal conversion.

Nacre-inspired fabrication of robust and flexible photothermal protective films using a coordination-crosslinking self-assembly strategy

Multifunctional photothermal protective films are novel photothermal-conversion materials that efficiently harvest and utilize solar energy. They also require excellent stability and durability. However, the poor toughness, loose structure, and weak shielding performance of these films limit their applications in photothermal conversion and metal protection. Inspired by the delicate microstructure of nacre, which exhibits excellent strength and barrier protection performance, a coordination-crosslinking self-assembly strategy is proposed herein that realizes a bio-phytic acid–silane–graphene oxide (bio-PSGO) metal-protective film with nacre-mimetic structures. The self-assembled bio-PSGO film exhibits good flexibility, excellent photothermal-conversion efficiency (93.9 %), outstanding protective performance, and water-desalination ability under natural sunlight irradiation. The coordination-crosslinking self-assembly process is simple and spontaneous, and it quickly assembles a complete thin film in an aqueous system. Nacre-like structured bio-PSGO films are easily obtained on the surfaces of metal substrates, such as iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, aluminum, and nickel. Metal ions released from metal materials promote the self-assembly of films via coordination crosslinking with PSGO nanosheets; meanwhile, the thermally conductive metal materials quickly transfer the heat generated in the photothermal-conversion process, synergistically improving the photothermal efficiency of the system. The proposed strategy designs robust and flexible materials that simulate the lamellar microstructure of nacre, which can be applied in flexible wearable devices and sensors, energy supply, metal protection, seawater desalination, solar thermal de-icing, and aerospace technologies.

Achieving high-precision dual-mode temperature measurement in the photothermal conversion process of SrIn2O4: Er3+, Yb3+ phosphors

Accurate measurement of temperature during photothermal conversion is crucial for the application of up-conversion photothermal conversion fluorescent materials. In this paper, a kind of SrIn2O4: Yb3+, Er3+ up-conversion phosphor with strong photothermal conversion ability and high-precision dual-mode temperature measurement performance was synthesized by high-temperature solid-state method. Under 980 nm laser excitation, a high-precision temperature measurement with a maximum relative sensitivity of Sr = 1.2 %K−1 was achieved by using the fluorescence intensity ratio of the thermally coupled energy level pairs (2H11/2/4S3/2) of Er3+ ions. In addition, we found that the luminescent color of the synthesized phosphor can span a large color gamut interval with the rise of temperature, realizing the optical temperature measurement based on temperature-induced color coordinate shift. On this basis, we realized dual-mode temperature monitoring and temperature self-calibration during the photothermal conversion process of SrIn2O4: Yb3+, Er3+ phosphors. These results are of great practical value for the application of photothermal conversion fluorescent materials in micro-zone heating and temperature self-monitoring.

Cyclodextrin-Modified Amphiphilic Microgel with Bifunctional Domains for Infected Wound Healing via Photothermal Antibacterial Therapy and Nitric Oxide Release.

Bacterial infections are one of the major contributing factors to human mortality, which can cause secondary damage to the injured area, such as leading to inflammation, tissue death, and even personal death. Herein, we developed a novel cyclodextrin (CD)-modified amphiphilic microgel with a 3D network nanostructure that encapsulates hydrophilic indocyanine green (ICG) as a trigger for photothermal therapy (PTT) and hydrophobic N,N'-disubstituted-butyl-N,N'-dinitro-1,4-benzenediamine (BNN6) as a heat-sensitive nitric oxide (NO) donor (CD@I-B) to cope with bacteria-infected wound therapy. This biocompatible microgel showed excellent broad-spectrum antibacterial capability under near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation, while the photothermal conversion process promotes the deswelling of the microgel and release of NO, which synergistically accelerates wound healing. The therapy strategy by synergizing NO delivery with PTT promoted the formation of neovascularization and collagen fiber as well as the elimination of inflammation cells, thus facilitating wound healing. Our study further demonstrates the fantastic opportunities of applying high-performance microgels to provide all-in-one sites for treating wound sterilization and healing.

Dynamic Thermal Transport Characteristics of a Real-Time Simulation Model for a 50 MW Solar Power Tower Plant

A dynamic simulation model of a heliostat field and molten salt receiver system are developed on the STAR-90 simulation platform. In addition, a real-time simulation model coupling the above two models is built to study the photothermal conversion process of Delingha’s 50 MW solar power tower plant. The nonuniform and time-varying characteristics of the energy flux density on the receiver surface and the dynamic characteristics under different operating conditions are studied. The operational process of the receiver of a typical day is simulated. It was found that there was a strong positive correlation between the energy flux and DNI, and the maximum energy flux density on the surface of the heat absorbing tube panel moved from the first tube panel to the fourth in sequence from 12:00 to 18:00. At the same time, the energy flux density of the last four panels decreased gradually along the arrangement order of the panels. DNI, molten salt mass flow rate and inlet temperature step disturbance simulations are carried out, and the response curves of the molten salt outlet temperature and tube wall temperature are obtained. The conclusion of this paper has important guiding significance for the establishment of an operational strategy for photothermal coupling in a molten salt solar power tower plant.

Nd3+/Sm3+ codoped NaLa(WO4)2 glass ceramic: A novel optical heater

Transparent Nd3+/Sm3+ codoped tungstate silicate glass ceramics were prepared and used for the photothermal conversion process. XRD patterns, TEM image and the enhanced Raman signals confirm the appearance of the tetragonal scheelite NaLa(WO4)2 nanocrystals in the vitreous phase. In comparison to the precursor glass, the enhancement of photoluminescence of Nd3+ ions in the glass ceramics attributes to the enrichment of Nd3+ ion in the precipitated low phonon-energy tetragonal scheelite NaLa(WO4)2 nanocrystals. The rapid reduction of photoluminescence of Nd3+ ions in the Nd3+/Sm3+ codoped glass ceramics demonstrates that a strong energy transfer from Nd3+ to Sm3+ takes place, which provides more non-radiative relaxation channels and is beneficial for the improving the photothermal conversion efficiency. Under the irradiation of 808 nm laser diode, a significant temperature rise is observed in the Nd3+/Sm3+ codoped glass ceramics and may be used as a good optical heater.

Use of Infrared Imaging Techniques to Investigate Thermal Losses of Flat Plate Solar Collectors

The paper presents ways to use advanced infrared imaging techniques to study and analyze the thermal losses of a flat plate solar collector. The techniques allowed us to precisely locate and measure areas where unwanted thermal losses occurred on the surface of the collectors studied. The study showed that these losses have a key impact on the energy efficiency of these devices. It was found that using the proposed methodology allows not only the detection of defects in existing structures but also the optimization of the design process of new technical solutions. The temperature of the working medium has a significant effect on heat losses on all analyzed surfaces. However, the influence of the medium flow varies depending on the specific surface. The conclusions of the research suggest that infrared imaging is a valuable tool in developing solar thermal systems, contributing to the reliability and efficiency of these systems. The technique is an important step toward sustainable and economical use of solar energy. Increasing the efficiency of the equipment used to carry out the photothermal conversion process will allow more efficient use of available renewable energy sources. It will have a positive impact on environmental protection.

Flexible and High-Throughput Photothermal Biosensors for Rapid Screening of Acute Myocardial Infarction Using Thermochromic Paper-Based Image Analysis.

Herein, we developed a flexible, low-cost thermosensitive fiber paper for the visual display in photothermal biosensing systems for early acute myocardial infarction. The thermal signal visualization device was encapsulated with rewritable thermal fibers, which exhibited excellent stability and reversibility. The mechanism of color change in thermal paper was based on a temperature-driven reversible transformation of the structure of the dye molecule (crystalline violet lactone, CVL). It exhibits a gradation from blue to colorless at higher temperatures and gradually returns to blue when the temperature drops. Immobilization and cascade enzymatic reactions of target molecules occurred in an integrated 3D-printed detection device, a photothermal conversion process occurred under near-infrared light excitation, and the colorimetric change values of the encapsulated thermal paper were recorded and evaluated for possible pathogenicity using a smartphone. It was worth noting that the effect of the thermogenic ring-opening behavior of CVL on the macroscopic phenomenon of color change was obtained by density functional theory calculations. Under optimized conditions, the naked-eye-recognizable range of the thermal paper-based photothermal immunoassay sensor was 0.2-20 ng mL-1, This work creatively presents theoretical studies of promising thermal paper-based photothermal biosensors and provides new insights for the development of low-cost, instrument-free portable photothermal biosensors.

Magnetically accelerated thermal energy storage within Fe3O4‐anchored MXene‐based phase change materials

AbstractInherent weak photon‐capturing ability is a long‐standing bottleneck for pristine phase change materials (PCMs) in photothermal conversion application. To conquer this difficulty, herein, magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were in situ anchored between the layers and the surface of two‐dimensional MXene for the infiltration of myristic acid (MA) by an in situ chemical anchoring strategy. Benefiting from the synergistic localized surface plasmon resonance effect of MXene and Fe3O4 nanoparticles, our designed MXene@Fe3O4‐MA composite PCMs harvested an ultrahigh photothermal conversion efficiency of 97.7%. During the photothermal conversion process, MXene can capture photons and convert solar energy into heat energy efficiently, and the in situ anchored Fe3O4 nanoparticles further enhanced the photothermal conversion efficiency. Moreover, the introduction of Fe3O4 nanoparticles improved the thermal energy storage density (144.17 J/g) of MXene‐MA composite PCMs since Fe3O4 nanoparticles provided more heterogeneous nucleation sites for MA. Simultaneously, MXene@Fe3O4‐MA composite PCMs were endowed with excellent paramagnetism, and realized efficient magnetic‐thermal conversion. Additionally, MXene@Fe3O4‐MA composite PCMs exhibited excellent energy conversion stability, thermal stability, and reliability after undergoing multiple thermal cycles. Therefore, high‐performance MXene@Fe3O4‐based energy conversion composite PCMs are promising candidates to accelerate efficient utilization of the practical solar energy and magnetic energy

Thermally enhanced near-infrared luminescence in CaSc2O4: Yb3+/Nd3+ nanorods for temperature sensing and photothermal conversion

Non-invasive photothermal therapy (PTT) is proposed as a powerful method for cancer treatment, in which a precise temperature monitoring is strongly recommended during the photothermal conversion process to prevent the damage of normal cells. Herein, ultra-sensitive optical thermometry with excellent resolution and outstanding light-to-heat conversion are simultaneously realized in CaSc2O4: Yb3+/Nd3+ nanorods. The temperature sensing of the nanorods is accomplished through fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) technology based on the thermally coupled levels (TCLs) Nd3+: 4Fj (j = 7/2, 5/2, 3/2), of which the obtained absolute sensitivity is about 6.5 times larger than the optimal value of TCLs-based thermometers reported previously. Meanwhile, an intense thermal enhancement of Nd3+: 4Fj (j = 7/2, 5/2, 3/2) → 4I9/2 transition is found due to the efficiency improvement of phonon-assisted energy transfer process between Yb3+ ions and Nd3+ ions. The penetrability of the near-infrared light emitting by Nd3+ ions is determined by a simple ex vivo experiment, indicating a penetration depth of 8 mm in the biological tissues with negligible effect on FIR values. Beyond that, the nanorods show remarkable photothermal conversion capacity under the excitation of 980 nm wavelength. The properties mentioned above show enormous potentiality of the present nanorods for PTT along with a real-time temperature sensing.

Near-Infrared Light-Triggered Nitric Oxide Nanogenerators for NO-Photothermal Synergistic Cancer Therapy.

Cancer is still one of the major health issues faced by human beings today. Various nanomaterials have been designed to treat tumors and have made great progress. Herein, we used amino-functionalized metal organic framework (UiO-66-NH2) as superior templates and successfully synthesized the UiO-66-NH2@Aushell composite nanoparticles (UA) with high loading capacity and excellent photothermal properties through a simple and gentle method. In addition, due to the rich pore structure and excellent biocompatibility of the as-prepared composite nanoparticles, the hydrophobic NO donor BNN6 (N,N′-Di-sec-butyl-N,N′-dinitroso-1, 4-phenylenediamine) molecule was efficiently delivered. Based on the phenomenon where BNN6 molecules can decompose and release NO at high temperature, when UiO-66-NH2@Aushell-BNN6 composite nanoparticles (UA-BNN6) entered tumor cells and were irradiated by NIR, the porous gold nanoshells on the surface of composite nanoparticles induced an increase in temperature through the photothermal conversion process and promoted the decomposition of BNN6 molecules, releasing high concentration of NO, thus efficiently killing HeLa cells through the synergistic effect of NO-photothermal therapy. This effective, precise and safe treatment strategy controlled by NIR laser irradiation represents a promising alternative in the field of cancer treatment.