In this work, the thermo-optical properties of gold (AuNPs) and silver (AgNPs)
nanoparticles in different concentrations, synthesized through green synthesis from
anacardium occidentale L. (cashew) leaf extract were investigated. Techniques such
as: UV-Vis, DLS, Thermal Lens and Z-scan were employed. The formation of
nanoparticles was confirmed through the presence of plasmonic resonance bands
(RPSL), characteristic of nanoparticles. DLS measurements showed that the
nanoparticles have hydrodynamic sizes below 55 nm and high stability due to their
surface potential. In studies of thermo-optical properties, AgNPs showed amplification
of thermal diffusivity with increasing concentration. On the other hand, AuNPs showed
a reduction in this parameter with increasing concentration. It was also observed that
the non-linear refractive index is amplified with the increase in the intensity of the
localized RPSL plasmon resonance peak, and to put an end to the non-linear
absorption showed a saturation response. Therefore, the investigated parameters
indicated that gold and silver nanoparticles are good heat conductors.