Dual Plasmonic Au−Cu2−xS Nanocomposites: Design Strategies and Photothermal Properties

Coupling two different materials to create a hybrid nanostructured system is a powerful strategy for achieving synergistically enhanced properties and advanced functionalities. In the case of Au and Cu2−xS, their combination on the nanoscale results in dual plasmonic Au−Cu2−xS nanocomposites that exhibit intense photon absorption in both the visible and the near‐infrared spectral ranges. Their strong light‐absorbing properties translate to superior photothermal transduction efficiency, making them attractive in photothermal‐based applications. There are several nanostructure configurations that are possible for the Au−Cu2−xS system, and the successful fabrication of a particular architecture often requires a carefully planned synthetic strategy. In this Minireview, the different synthetic approaches that can be employed to produce rationally designed Au−Cu2−xS nanocomposites are presented, with a focus on the experimental protocols that can lead to heterodimer, core–shell, reverse core–shell, and yolk–shell configurations. The photothermal behavior of these materials is also discussed, providing a glimpse of their potential use as photothermally active agents in therapeutic and theranostic applications. Hot metals: Au‐Cu2−xS nanocomposites are a promising class of plasmonic nanomaterials that can be rationally designed to achieve strong light absorption and high photothermal conversion efficiency. In this Minireview, we show the different hybrid configurations that are possible for Au−Cu2−xS nanocomposites, present various synthetic strategies for their fabrication, and discuss their tunable plasmon‐induced absorption features and photothermal properties. We also demonstrate their potential use in photothermal therapy and in the blossoming field of theranostics.