Synthesis of nanoparticles by pulsed laser ablation of consolidated metal microparticles

This paper describes a novel process of nanoparticle synthesis by pulsed laser ablation of consolidated microparticles. Metal microparticles, including Cu, Al and Ag, are consolidated by a cold isobaric press with pressures up to a few hundred MPa before laser irradiation. Nanoparticles are then synthesized in air by high-power pulsed laser ablation of the microparticles using a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. It is shown that the degree of compaction plays a significant role in determining the size of the produced nanoparticles. The effect of laser fluence and collector position on the distribution of particle size is examined. Photoacoustic deflection probing and nanosecond time-resolved visualization indicate that the novel process attains increased efficiency of laser-energy coupling with the target. PACS 81.07.-b; 81.07.Wx; 42.62.Cf