Plasmonic nanoparticle-doped silk materials

A method of photothermal therapy comprising:

• (a) contacting an internal or external tissue with a silk fibroin-based photothermal element comprising a silk fibroin matrix and a plurality of plasmonic nanoparticles dispersed therein, wherein the silk fibroin-based photothermal element is adapted to conform to the tissue upon contact;
• and
• (b) exposing the at least one plasmonic nanoparticle to electromagnetic radiation, wherein the at least one plasmonic nanoparticle generates heat upon irradiation, and wherein at least a portion of the generated heat is transferred to at least a portion of the tissue.

A method of generating electricity comprising:

• (a) providing a photothermal element comprising a silk fibroin matrix, the silk fibroin matrix comprising at least one plasmonic nanoparticle that absorbs radiation to generate heat when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation, and a thermoelectric device in contact with the photothermal element;
• (b) irradiating the photothermal element with electromagnetic radiation, wherein the thermoelectric device converts at least a portion of the heat transferred from the photothermal element into electricity.