Production of Nanoparticles by Laser Ablation

The method for producing metallic nanoparticles through process of laser ablation is very promising. This method is good for production of bare nanoparticles. The method of laser ablation uses high laser energy beam which is focused on a bulk metal target that is located in a solvent. Large amount of energy is absorbed by the bulk metal target, locally increasing the temperature and leading to outer atom vaporization on the metal surface. The vapors condense upon meeting the solvent and nanoparticles are formed. This process is energetically favored as it minimizes the surface energy of the metal. Because the laser pulses are short enough, there is no evaporation of the solvent.

This method is good for any combination of target and solvent. Through this process metallic and ceramic nanoparticles can be formed both in organic and aqueous solvents. There is no need for protecting ligand in this process because the laser creates positive charge on the surface of the nanoparticles, protecting the nanoparticles from forming larger structures.

Production of nanoparticles by laser ablation is the high purity of nanoparticles. This characteristic is very important for applications that require biocompatibility such as nickel titanium implants that are used in biomedical surgeries inside the human body.

The process of laser ablation is demonstrated in the following video.