ZnO nanoparticles produced by reactive laser ablation

The paper presents the results of theoretical and experimental researches of the analysis of nanopowder ZnO and ZnO-based structures formation mechanisms by means of pulse laser reactive technology (λ = 1.06 μm, τ = 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻⁵ s). The developed 2D model combines non-stationary heat transfer and fluid motion along with the calculated profile of surface deformation. The characteristics of the dispersive and chemical compositions and structural parameters of the synthesized nanopowder together with the influence of the energy of laser impulse evaporation, its duration and gas pressure in the reaction chamber have been studied using X-ray diffractrometry (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Particle size distribution analysis of ZnO has shown that the majority of them range from 5 to 60 nm in size. The photoluminescence emission spectra of the initial ZnO nanopowder at room temperature have been identified.     

Noble metal nanoparticles produced by nanosecond laser ablation

Silver and gold thin films were deposited by pulsed laser ablation in a controlled Ar atmosphere at pressures between 10 and 100 Pa. Different morphologies, ranging from isolated nanoparticle arrays up to nanostructured thin films were observed. Fast imaging of the plasma allowed deducing the expansion dynamics of the ablated plume. Plasma velocity and volume were used together with the measured average ablated mass per pulse as input parameters in a model to estimate the average size of nanoparticles grown in the plume. The nanoparticle size is expected to decrease from 4 nm down to 1 nm with decreasing Ar pressure between 100 and 10 Pa: this was confirmed by transmission electron micrographs which indicate a reduced dispersion of particle size over narrow size ranges. The production of substrates for surface enhanced Raman scattering whose performances critically depend on nanoparticle size, shape, and structure is discussed.     

Study of magnetic and structural properties of ferrofluids based on cobalt-zinc ferrite nanoparticles

Ferrofluids are colloidal systems composed of a single domain of magnetic nanoparticles with a mean diameter around 30 nm, dispersed in a liquid carrier. Magnetic Co_(1−x)Zn_xFe₂O₄ (x=0.25, 0.50, 0.75) ferrite nanoparticles were prepared via co-precipitation method from aqueous salt solutions in an alkaline medium. The composition and structure of the samples were characterized through Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) studies permitted determining nanoparticle size; grain size of nanoparticle conglomerates was established via Atomic Force Microscopy. The magnetic behavior of ferrofluids was characterized by Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM); and finally, a magnetic force microscope was used to visualize the magnetic domains of Co_(1−x)Zn_xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction patterns of Co_(1−x)Zn_xFe₂O₄ show the presence of the most intense peak corresponding to the (311) crystallographic orientation of the spinel phase of CoFe₂O₄. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy confirmed the presence of the bonds associated to the spinel structures; particularly for ferrites. The mean size of the crystallite of nanoparticles determined from the full-width at half maximum of the strongest reflection of the (311) peak by using the Scherrer approximation diminished from (9.5±0.3) nm to (5.4±0.2) nm when the Zn concentration increases from 0.21 to 0.75. The size of the Co-Zn ferrite nanoparticles obtained by TEM is in good agreement with the crystallite size calculated from X-ray diffraction patterns, using Scherer's formula. The magnetic properties investigated with the aid of a VSM at room temperature presented super-paramagnetic behavior, determined by the shape of the hysteresis loop. In this study, we established that the coercive field of Co_(1−x)Zn_xFe₂O₄ magnetic nanoparticles, the crystal and nanoparticle sizes determined by X-ray Diffraction and TEM, respectively, decrease with the increase of the Zn at%. Finally, our magnetic nanoparticles are not very hard magnetic materials given that the hysteresis loop is small and for this reason Co_(1−x)Zn_xFe₂O₄ nanoparticles are considered as soft magnetic material.     

Surface characterisation of dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles prepared by laser pyrolysis and coprecipitation

The favoured mechanism of adsorption of dextran on the surface of maghemite nanoparticles (5 nm) prepared by laser pyrolysis seems to be the collective hydrogen bonding between dextran hydroxyl groups and iron oxide particle surface. After heating, the formation of a surface complex between the polysaccharide oxygen atoms and the surface iron atoms gave rise to a stronger bonding.     

Carrier storage in Ge nanoparticles produced by pulsed laser deposition

In this work, we report on the electrical characterization of Ge nanoparticles (NPs) produced by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) at room temperature (RT) in Ar gas inert atmosphere using a shadowed off‐axis deposition geometry. Our results show that functional thin films of crystalline Ge NPs embedded between thin alumina films can be obtained on p‐type Si(100) substrates following a low temperature and short rapid thermal annealing (RTA) treatment. Metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) structures with and without Ge NPs embedded in the alumina were prepared for the electrical measurements. The results indicate a strong memory effect at relatively low programming voltages (±4 V) due to the presence of Ge NPs. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Soft magnetization of a semi-hard/soft magnetic bilayer produced by oblique-incidence evaporation

The possibility of achieving soft magnetization in semi-hard magnetic films such as Fe, Fe_93.5Si_6.5, Fe₅₀Co₅₀ and Fe₇₀Co₃₀ is investigated by depositing films on an Fe₂₀Ni₈₀ underlayer by oblique-incidence evaporation. The magnetic anisotropy of the underlayer is strengthened to a depth of several lattice parameters by vapor deposition of the film at an oblique angle to the substrate surface. This method also allows magnetic anisotropy to be induced in strongly isotropic semi-hard magnetic overlayers to a thickness of a few thousands Angstroms. The coercive force of bilayer films measured along the hard-axis is reduced remarkably by this process, and the strength of the anisotropy field is demonstrated to be readily controllable. When magnetic anisotropy exists in both magnetic layers, a significant change is observed in the magnetization processes of the semi-hard magnetic layer and the coercive forces in the hard magnetization direction is dramatically reduced. Soft magnetization of the semi-hard magnetic layer cannot be achieved when magnetic anisotropy exists in only one of the magnetic layers.     

Iron carbide nanoparticles produced by laser ablation in organic solvent

Laser ablation of iron in an organic solvent (pentane, hexane, or decane) was performed using an air-tight cell to produce iron carbide nanoparticles. M?ssbauer spectra of the nanoparticles were obtained at room temperature. They revealed that the nanoparticles consisted of two paramagnetic components and magnetic components. The two paramagnetic components were a high-spin Fe(II) species and an amorphous iron carbide containing a large amount of carbon. Whereas the magnetic components measured at room temperature exhibited superparamagnetism, those measured at low temperature were fitted by a combination of four sextets, which were assigned to Fe₇ C ₃. The Fe₇ C ₃ yield was higher in higher molecular weight solvents. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of the samples showed that the nanoparticles were spherical with diameters in the range 10–100?nm.     

Investigation of metal nanoparticles produced by laser ablation and their catalytic activity

Polydiphenylsilylenemethylene (PDPhSM) thin films, which are difficult to fabricate by conventional methods because of their insolubility and high melting point, have been synthesized by using laser-ablated metal nanoparticles for the thermal ring-opening polymerization of 1,1,3,3-tetraphenyl-1,3-disilacyclobutane (TPDC) in this paper. TPDC was first evaporated on silicon substrates and then exposed to metal (Pt, Cu and Ag) nanoparticles deposition by laser ablation prior to heat treatment. The catalytic activity of Pt, Cu and Ag nanoparticles has been studied. The results showed that the mean diameter of Pt nanoparticles was the smallest, Cu nanoparticles the moderate and Ag nanoparticles the biggest, while the polymerization efficiency for Pt nanoparticles was the highest, Cu nanoparticles the moderate and Ag nanoparticles the lowest. In addition, the penetration behaviours of Pt, Cu and Ag nanoparticles into the TPDC monomer films during laser ablation were different due to the particle size or the chemical interaction between metal nanoparticles and TPDC molecules.     

Spectral and temporal characteristics of metallic nanoparticles produced by femtosecond laser pulses

We study the time of flight optical emission from titanium and tungsten nanosized particles, generated through femtosecond laser-matter interaction in vacuum, in the wavelength spectral range from 300 to 900 nm. Typical spectra consist of broadband structureless signals similar to black body emission from a macroscopic object. Nanoparticles temperature, deduced from their emission spectra, decreases drastically as a function of their time of arrival at a given distance from the target. This behaviour is seen to be independent of individual particle velocities.     

Magnetic iron oxide nanopowders produced by CO2 laser evaporation

Magnetic iron oxide nanopowders were produced with the laser evaporation technique under normal process gas pressure. In addition, the generated particles were coated in situ with stearic acid and separated on magnets. The methods and the used laboratory setup are briefly described. Influences of essential process conditions, particularly the use of continuous and pulsed laser radiation as well as the properties of the process gas, were experimentally investigated. The produced nanopowders were analysed with TEM, XRD, and magnetic measurements and confirmed the in-principle suitability of the presented method.     

Characterization of lysozyme films produced by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE)

Thin lysozyme films of thickness up to more than 100 nm have been produced in a dry environment by MAPLE (matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation) from a water ice matrix. Analysis of the films demonstrates that a significant part of the lysozyme molecules is transferred to the substrate without decomposition and that the protein activity is preserved. The film deposition rate for 1 wt% lysozyme has a maximum at 2 J/cm² of about 1 ng/cm² per laser shot. During the film production the deposition rate is constant without any sign of depletion or accumulation effects in the water ice target or in the growing film. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images demonstrate that the silicon substrate is completely covered by lysozyme films thicker than 100 nm. Deposition was also made from a target with pressed (100%) solid lysozyme, but the deposition was difficult to handle and with a much slower rate than that from a water ice matrix.     

Investigation of Ag nanoparticles produced by nanosecond pulsed laser ablation in water

A study is presented of the properties of Ag nanoparticles produced by nanosecond pulsed laser ablation in twice-distilled water. An Ag target was immersed in the liquid and irradiated by the fundamental, second, third and fourth harmonics of a Nd:YAG laser system to create different colloids. Two specific boundary values of the laser fluence were applied for each wavelength. The properties of the nanoparticles at different wavelengths of the laser radiation were examined. The characterization of the colloids was performed immediately after their fabrication. Spherical and spherical-like shapes of the nanoparticles created were established. The formation of nanowires was observed when the second and the third harmonics of the laser were used. It is connected with self-absorption of the incident laser light from the already-created nanoparticles and depends also on the laser fluence. The size distribution of the nanoparticles is estimated by transmission electron microscopy. Generally, their mean size and standard deviation decreased as the wavelength of the incident laser light was increased and increased with the increase of the laser fluence. The substantial discrepancy between the results already commented on for both characteristics considered and others, obtained by dynamic light scattering, is discussed. The structure of the nanoparticles was established to be single and polycrystalline, and the phase composition in both cases is identified as consisting of cubic silver. The nanoparticles are slightly oxidized.     

Gold nanoparticles produced by laser ablation in water and in graphene oxide suspension

The comparison between two different approaches based on the use of the laser ablation in medium to synthetise gold nanoparticles is presented and discussed. Deionised water as well as a graphene oxide (GO) suspension in deionised water have been employed as solution to produce gold nanoparticles by laser ablation. In the former case, the nanoparticles assembly has been stabilised by using surfactants, but in the latter case to avoid undesired effects the use of chemicals was not necessary and Au reduced graphene oxide (Au-rGO) nanocomposites have been obtained. The structure, size and composition of the gold nanoparticles and of the Au–rGO nanocomposites have been monitored by UV–Vis–NIR absorption spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, the transmission and scanning electron microscopies and the X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The presented methodology of Au rGO nanocomposites preparation could represent a green alternative on the production of metallic nanoparticles in biocompatible environment.     

Surface morphology of thin lysozyme films produced by matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE)

Thin films of the protein, lysozyme, have been deposited by the matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. Frozen targets of 0.3-1.0 wt.% lysozyme dissolved in ultrapure water were irradiated by laser light at 355 nm with a fluence of 2 J/cm². The surface quality of the thin lysozyme films of different thickness deposited on 7 mm × 7 mm Si-〈1 0 0〉-wafers was investigated with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Already at comparatively low thickness, ∼20 nm, the substrate is covered by intact lysozyme molecules and fragments. The concentration of lysozyme in the ice matrix apparently does not play any significant role for the morphology of the film. The morphology obtained with MAPLE has been compared with results for direct laser irradiation of a pressed lysozyme sample (i.e. pulsed laser deposition (PLD)).     

Metal-on-oxide nanoparticles produced using laser ablation of microparticle aerosols

A continuous aerosol process has been studied for producing nanoparticles of oxides that were decorated with smaller metallic nanoparticles and are free of organic stabilizers. To produce the oxide carrier nanoparticles, an aerosol of 3–6 μm oxide particles was ablated using a pulsed excimer laser. The resulting oxide nanoparticle aerosol was then mixed with 1.5–2.0 μm metallic particles and this mixed aerosol was exposed to the laser for a second time. The metallic micron-sized particles were ablated during this second exposure, and the resulting nanoparticles deposited on the surface of the oxide nanoparticles producing an aerosol of 10–60 nm oxide nanoparticles that were decorated with smaller 1–5 nm metallic nanoparticles. The metal and oxide nanoparticle sizes were varied by changing the laser fluence and gas type in the aerosol. The flexibility of this approach was demonstrated by producing metal-decorated oxide nanoparticles using two oxides, SiO₂ and TiO₂, and two metals, Au and Ag.     

Density oscillations in laser produced plasma decelerated by external magnetic field

This paper presents the dynamics as well as the stability of laser produced plasma expanding across the magnetic field. Observation of some high frequency fluctuations superimposed on ion saturation current along with structuring in the pin hole images of x-ray emitting plasma plume indicate the presence of instability in the plasma. Two type of slope in the variation of x-ray emission with laser intensity in the absence and presence of magnetic field shows appearance of different threshold intensity of laser corresponding to each magnetic field at which this instability or density fluctuation sets on. This instability has been identified as a large Larmor radius instability instead of classical Rayleigh-Taylor (R-T) instability.     

Raman spectroscopy investigation of magnetite nanoparticles in ferrofluids

Raman spectroscopy is used to investigate magnetite nanoparticles dispersed in two types of β-cyclodextrin suspensions. An approach is presented for characterization of the magnetic core in liquid surrounding at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The effect of elevating laser power on the structural stability and chemical composition of magnetite in the ferrofluids is discussed. The data are compared with data from dry by-products from the fluids. Powder samples undergo total phase transition from magnetite to hematite at laser power of 1.95 mW. The same nanoparticles in the fluid undergo transformation at 9 mW, but no hematite positions appear throughout that investigation. The Raman spectra revealed that the main phase of the magnetic core in the fluids is magnetite. That is indicated by a strong and non-diminishing in intensity peak at 670 cm⁻¹. A second phase is present at the nanoparticle’s surface with Raman spectroscopy unveiling maghemite-like and small fractions of goethite-like structures. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy investigations confirm deviations in the surface structure and also point to the fact that the oxidation process starts at an early stage after formation of the nanoparticles. The analyses of the infrared data also show that β-cyclodextrin molecules retain their cyclic character and the coating does not affect the oxidation process once the particles are evicted from the fluids. A Mössbauer spectroscopy measurement on a ferrofluidic sample is also presented.