Constructing interparticle hotspots through cracking silver nanoplates for laser initiation of explosives

•The addition of Ag nanocrystals can significantly improve the light absorption.•Cracking nanoplates had more hotspots than triangular and round nanoplates.•The photothermal effect remains when the cracking nanocrystals dry into powder.•Cracking Ag nanocrystals can reduce the initiation energy of explosive.