Formation of silver nanoparticles by through thin film ablation

Well dispersed Ag nanoparticles have been formed by a process denoted Through Thin Film Ablation. The nanoparticles were deposited on room temperature substrates, had a most probable size of 1 nm, and were not agglomerated. The nanoparticle deposit produced by this process showed no evidence of the larger particles commonly observed from conventional pulsed laser ablation that uses a bulk target. Synthesis of nanoparticles by Through Thin Film Ablation should be possible for any material that can be made as a thin film target and may enable the unique properties of isolated, non-agglomerated nanoparticles to be exploited more fully.     

Co掺杂CeO2稀磁氧化物陶瓷和纳米颗粒的铁磁性能

分别采用固相烧结法及激光液相烧蚀(LAL)技术,成功制备出Co掺杂CeO_2稀磁氧化物陶瓷块体和纳米颗粒。XRD和SEM研究发现所制备的材料具有良好的结晶性和形貌。Co掺杂CeO_2稀磁氧化物陶瓷块体和纳米颗粒均为多晶立方结构,与纯立方相的CeO_2结构相同,说明Co掺杂未形成其他结构和杂相。磁性测量表明固相烧结法和激光烧蚀液相法制备的Co掺杂CeO_2样品均具有较高的室温铁磁性,且远高于文献中报道的结果。将陶瓷块材经激光烧蚀成纳米颗粒后,纳米颗粒的铁磁性与陶瓷块材保持一致。这说明激光烧蚀法制备的纳米材料可以很好地保持母材的特性,是一种很好的纳米颗粒制备方法。根据XRD和SEM研究结果,笔者认为Co掺杂CeO_2陶瓷块材及纳米颗粒的室温铁磁性是内禀性质;磁性产生的机理源于氧空位诱导的铁磁性耦合。     

Optimisation of GaAs nanocrystals synthesis by laser ablation in water

Laser ablation of a gallium arsenide (GaAs) wafer immersed in distilled water was carried out using the fundamental wavelength of a high frequency Nd:YAG laser with 240?ns pulse duration. Rate of nanoparticles generation through laser ablation for various amounts of laser pulse energies (0.4–0.94?mJ) and repetition rates (400–2000?Hz) were studied and a maximum ablation rate of 19.6?µgr/s was obtained. Formation of the pure GaAs nanocrystals (NCs) is confirmed using TEM micrograph and X-ray diffraction analysis. Band-gap energy of generated GaAs NCs is calculated by Tauc method to be between 2.48 and 2.60?eV which is larger than the band-gap energy of bulk GaAs. The band-gap energy of NCs is increased by increasing the energy of laser pulses and is decreased by increasing the pulse repetition rate.     

Fabrication of PDPhSM matrix nanocomposite thin films by pulsed laser ablation

We have developed a new method to fabricate poly(diphenylsilylenemethylene) (PDPhSM) matrix nanocomposite thin films containing copper nanoparticles produced by pulsed laser ablation in this paper. First of all, 1,1,3,3-tetraphenyl-1,3-disilacyclobutane (TPDC) films were deposited on 4 cm² silicon substrates cut from c-Si wafers by conventional vacuum evaporation under a pressure of 3.0 × 10⁻⁵ Torr; then copper nanoparticles were deposited onto the TPDC films by pulsed laser ablation; finally the TPDC films with copper nanoparticles were heated in an electric furnace in an air atmosphere at 553 K for 10 min to induce ring-opening polymerization of TPDC. The results indicated that it is possible to fabricate PDPhSM matrix nanocomposite thin films using copper nanoparticles produced by laser ablation. The morphology and size distribution of copper nanoparticles can be controlled by pulsed laser ablation conditions. Also, the polymerization efficiency depends on the size and chemical state of copper nanoparticles.     

Synthesis of Yb nanoparticles by laser ablation of ytterbium target in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate reverse micellar solution

Surfactant-coated ytterbium nanoparticles were produced by Nd:YAG laser ablation of a Yb bulk target immersed in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT)/n-heptane micellar solution. In our experimental conditions, as highlighted by IR spectroscopy, AOT molecules are not decomposed by the intense laser pulses but play a pivotal role in the stabilisation of Yb nanoparticles. The formation of Yb nanoparticles in the liquid phase was monitored by UV-Vis spectroscopy whereas the Yb/AOT composites obtained by evaporation of the organic solvent were characterised by XPS and TEM. Data analysis consistently shows the presence of surfactant-coated, nearly spherical and non-interacting Yb nanoparticles of mean diameter of 3 nm.Moreover, the presence of bigger polycrystalline nanoparticles (about 30%) in coexistence with smaller mono crystalline ones indicates that, after the rapid formation of the pristine Yb nanoparticles from plume condensation, two processes effectively compete for their size distribution: nanoparticle agglomeration and surfactant adsorption.     

ns脉冲激光诱导制备铬掺杂ZnSe纳米粒子独特的生长以及光学特性

在液相环境中,利用纳秒（ns）脉冲激光器轰击消融铬掺杂ZnSe（Cr^2＋：ZnSe）微米颗粒,制备出Cr^2＋：ZnSe纳米粒子,扫描电镜以及X射线衍射检测,结果显示,制备所得的粒子为平均尺寸为50nm的ZnSe闪锌矿结构纳米粒子。基于Cr^2＋：ZnSe纳米粒子,观察到中心波长为2180nm、阈值为0．4mJ／pulse的随机激光效应。相比于Cr^2＋：ZnSe晶体激光器,纳米粒子随机激光的中心波长发生了约170nm的蓝移,Cr^2＋：ZnSe纳米粒子的光致发光寿命也比Cr^2＋：ZnSe晶体要短。     

Analytical solution to predict laser ablation rate in a graphitic target

Laser ablation is a process very useful to obtain many kinds of nanoparticles, included single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The control of the process, with the aim of determining the temperature conditions during ablation, is required to previously determine the formation and dynamic of growth of nanoparticles. An analytical method to predict the ablation rate is a starting point to set up the experimental conditions, to allow the predefinition of the nanoparticles produced with laser ablation. An ablation method using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser was carried out to ablate a target of graphite, which was irradiated with a laser energy density of 10 J/cm² at a temperature of 1,273 K under a controlled atmosphere of Ar. The ablation rate and the heat conduction in the target were studied through an appropriate heat balance method that offers an analytical solution and seems to be very appropriate to describe the ablation conditions. The predictions of ablation rate are in very good agreement with the experimental data.     

Formation of Amorphous Carbon Nanoparticles by the Laser Electrodispersion Method

Experimental results on the laser ablation of the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite by using light pulses of an Nd:YAG laser (pulse width 25 ns, pulse energy 220 mJ) are presented. Analysis of the surface profile of the carbon target shows that the target material melts in the course of the laser ablation. As a result of ablation, a coating consisting of carbon nanoparticles about 10 nm in size is formed on the substrate placed at a distance of 4 cm from the target. It is assumed that such particles are formed as a result of the electrodispersion of carbon droplets detached from the target surface and charged to an unstable state in the laser plasma plume. Raman spectra of the coatings indicate that the carbon nanoparticles being formed have an amorphous structure.     

Trace Element Microanalysis in Iron Meteorites by Laser Ablation ICPMS

A laser ablation microanalysis system has been developed that can analyze trace elements with a sensitivity in the ppb range, using a CETAC LSX-200 laser ablation system with a Finnigan Element. This capability has been applied to a set of iron meteorites to demonstrate the laser microprobe's analytical capability for the determination of platinum group elements (PGEs) with a spatial resolution of ～20 μm, comparable to that of dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The laser is shown to provide an accurate means of solid sampling for magnetic sector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS), allowing the determination of bulk metal composition, chemical zoning within the sample, and depth profiling. Recovery of the chemical zoning in taenite lamellae was achieved for Ru, Rh, and Pd, which was not previously possible using SIMS. The methods presented here show that magnetic sector ICPMS can be successfully coupled to a laser ablation system, providing the advantages of higher sensitivity of the sector instrument, low background count rates (<0.1 counts/s), and flat-topped spectral peaks, while minimizing tradeoff against the speed of data acquisition required to handle the transient signals from the laser ablation system.     

Fabrication of Ta nanoparticles induced by nanosecond laser ablation in ethanol: the study of laser fluence effects

Tantalum nanoparticles (Ta NPs) were synthesized in ethanol solution by ablation with a 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser. Prepared NPs were investigated by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Photoluminescence measurement. The average sizes of NPs were calculated to be in the range of 12–18 nm. From the UV-visible studies, the plasmon peak position of Ta NPs was observed in the spectral range of 206–208 nm. The XRD spectra clearly showed the crystalline structure of NPs and various peaks of Ta and Ta₂O₅. Moreover, the UV region in the PL spectrum included the free exciton and the bound exciton emission correlated with the defect concentration. In fact, the laser ablation in the organic and inorganic solvents is a strong technique to obtain some NPs with particular structures, which are impossible to produce by conventional methods.     

Preparation of LiMn2O4 nanoparticles for Li ion secondary batteries by laser ablation in water

The laser ablation technique in liquids was applied for preparing LiMn₂O₄ nanoparticles for Li ion secondary batteries. A new optical configuration for laser irradiation was also developed to increase irradiation intensity. SEM observation proved that the amount of nanoparticles obtained drastically increased with an increase in laser intensity. On the other hand, the composition change caused by laser ablation was very small. The improvement in the rate capacity of the electrodes composed of the nanoparticles could be explained in terms of particle size reduction.     

Fabrication and formation mechanism of hollow MgO particles by pulsed excimer laser ablation of Mg in liquid

We report on the formation of hollow MgO particles by excimer laser ablation of bulk Mg in water and aqueous solutions of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium citrate (SC). Lamellar nanostructures of Mg(OH)(2) also formed in water, but the formation could be avoided by the addition of SDS or SC. Laser ablation produced not only Mg species that were oxidized into MgO and Mg(OH)(2) in water, but also cavitation bubbles. The bubble interfaces trapped the MgO nanoparticles to decrease the surface free energy of the system, finally resulting in hollow particles.     

Laser Ultrasonics: Simultaneous Generation by Means of Thermoelastic Expansion and Material Ablation

This paper describes a laser ultrasonic probe capable of generating ultrasound by both thermoelastic expansion and material ablation mechanisms simultaneously. Because bulk wave propagation is centered around a 67° line of sight for thermoelastically generated signals, and near normal (0°) for signals generated by means of ablation, the simultaneous generation by both mechanisms results in a wider range of useful observation angles. The system described uses a Nd:Yag laser with fiber optic delivery and a focusing objective, with an independent receiver, such as an EMAT, interferometer or contact transducer. The optical fiber delivery system allows the probe to be easily positioned (i.e. using a robot), and has the added benefit of allowing a single laser to service several test sites. The focusing objective provides the means for generating ultrasound by either thermoelastic expansion or ablation, or a combination of the two mechanism. The objective also serves to protect the fiber from ablated material and manufacturing contaminants (dust, welding gas, etc.). The resulting system is both physically robust and highly adaptable for a wide range of industrial ultrasonic inspection applications.     

Thermophysical property measurement at high temperatures by laser-produced plasmas

Excitation by a high-power laser pulse of a material surface generates a sequence of plasma, fluid flow, and acoustic events. These are well separated in time, and their detection and analysis can lead to determination of material properties of the condensed phase target. We have developed a new methodology for real-time determination of molten metal composition by time-resolved spectroscopy of laser-produced plasmas (LPP). If the laser pulse is shaped in such a way that the movement of the bulk surface due to evaporation is kept in pace with the thermal diffusion front advancing into the interior of the target, the LPP plume becomes representative of the bulk in elemental composition. In addition, the mass loss due to LPP ablation is very well correlated with the thermal diffusivity of the target matter. For several elemental solid specimens, we show that the product of the ablation thickness and heat of formation is proportional to the thermal diffusivity per unit molecular weight. Such measurements can be extended to molten metal specimens if the mass loss by ablation, density, heat of formation, and molecular weight can be determined simultaneously. The results from the solid specimen study and the progress with a levitation-assisted molten metal experiment are presented.Paper presented at the Third Workshop on Subsecond Thermophysics, September 17–18, 1992, Graz, Austria.     

Host (nanodimensional pores of mesoporous material)–guest (semiconductor nanoparticles) nanocomposite materials

An aluminosilicate with the MCM-41 structure (AlMCM-41) was used as a host for the synthesis of cobalt sulfide nanoparticles. Cobalt sulfide nanoparticles were introduced in host by ion exchange and hydrothermal methods. Products (CoSAlMCM-41) were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), EDX, IR, BET and UV–vis spectroscopy. The results show that CoS nanoparticles encapsulated into channels of AlMCM-41 material by hydrothermal synthesis and they grow outside the mesopore AlMCM-41 matrix by ion-exchange methods. Absorption peaks at higher energy than the fundamental absorption edge of bulk CoS indicate quantum confinement effect in nanoparticles as a consequence of their small size. The absorption spectra show that the optical band gap for CoS nanoparticles by hydrothermal and ion-exchange methods are 3.73 and 4.89, respectively.     

Low-power resonant laser ablation of copper

We emphasize two points: (l) the properties and mechanisms of very low-fluence ablation of copper surfaces and (2) the sensitivity and selectivity of resonant laser ablation (RLA). We present results for ablation of bulk copper and copper thin films; spot-size effects; the effects of surface-sample preparation and beam polarization; and an accurate measurement of material removal rates, typically ≤ 10(-3) ? at 35 mJ/cm(2). Velocity distributions were Maxwellian, with peak velocities ≈ 1-2 × 10(5) cm/s. In addition, we discuss the production of diffractionlike surface features, and the probable participation of nonthermal desorption mechanisms. RLA is shown to be a sensitive and useful diagnostic for studies of low-fluence laser-material interactions.     

Zn/ZnO core/shell nanoparticles synthesized by laser ablation in aqueous environment: Optical and structural characterizations

Zn/ZnO core/shell nanoparticles are synthesized by pulsed laser ablation (PLA) of Zn metal plate in the aqueous environment of sodium dodacyl sulfate (SDS). Solution of nanoparticles is found stable in the colloidal form for a long time, and is characterized by UV-visible absorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectroscopic techniques. UV-visible absorption spectrum has four peaks at 231, 275, 356, and 520 nm, which provides primary information about the synthesis of core-shell and elongated nanoparticles. TEM micrographs reveal that synthesized nanoparticles are monodispersed with three different average sizes and size distributions. Colloidal solution of nanoparticles has significant absorption in the green region, therefore, it absorbs 514·7 nm light of Ar⁺ laser and emits in the blue region centred at 350 and 375 nm, violet at 457 nm and green at 550 nm regions. Raman shift is observed at 300 cm⁻¹ with PL spectrum, which corresponds to ³E_2N and E_3L mode of vibrations of ZnO shell layer. Synthesis mechanism of Zn/ZnO core/shell nanoparticles is discussed.     

纳米银粒子对聚合物激光离解方式的影响

采用激光飞行时间质谱研究了添加纳米银粒子的聚合物PS和PMMA的激光离解方式的变化,发现纳米银粒子导致聚合物炭化。在两相界面有诱导石墨化的作用;而且纳米银粒子的这种作用与两相的界面相互作用和结构有关,热处理导致纳米银粒子与PMMA的界面反应会改变激光能量的转化方式。从而减弱其激光炭化作用。     

Novel method to transform ZnO nanorods into interlaced tattered nanosheets by changing the target inclination angle

ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by liquid-phase pulse laser ablation of a Zn foil target immersed in deionized water. Nanosecond Q-switched Nd:YAG laser pulses of 532 nm were applied to the Zn foil target at a perpendicular and inclined (θ = 45°) angles. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that both cases feature a ZnO nanostructure with a hexagonal wurtzite structure and that the particle size increases with the inclined target angle. Field emission scanning electron microscopy results of a colloidal drop cast on a glass substrate showed the ZnO has a nanorod structure in the case of a perpendicular target angle and an interlaced tattered nanosheet structure in the case of an inclined target angle. Photoluminescence spectra showed emission peaks in the UV, violet, blue, and green spectral regions, which correspond to excitonic and various defects resulting in an enhancement of emissions at inclined target angle.     

Optical emission and absorption spectra of Zn–ZnO core-shell nanostructures

The core-shell Zn–ZnO nanostructures were fabricated from Zn-powder embedded in graphite (i.e. carbon matrix) in a thin-films form by an inexpensive vacuum arc technique followed by laser ablation. The grazing incidence X-ray diffraction pattern shows that intensity of Zn-peak decreases, and subtle ZnO-peak increasing with the increase in laser power. The high resolution transmission electron microscopic study clearly exhibits the formation of a core-shell nanostructure as fabricated by laser ablation. The emission characteristics of laser ablated (with different powers) samples show a strong exciton peak at 388 nm, and a few more weak peaks (due to weak defect states in the visible range). The optical absorption spectra were obtained from the excitonic peaks (from 344 nm to 317 nm) on decreasing laser power. These peaks occur due to the coupling of exciton absorption (from ZnO shell layer) and core metal interband absorption. The Zn–ZnO core-shell nanostructure is useful for nanophotonic applications.