Atomistic modeling of nanoparticle generation in short pulse laser ablation of thin metal films in water

Defect-Rich CuZn Nanoparticles for Model Catalysis Produced by Femtosecond Laser Ablation

Femtosecond laser ablation of Cu0.70Zn0.30 targets in ethanol led to the formation of periodic surface nanostructures and crystalline CuZn alloy nanoparticles with defects, low-coordinated surface sites, and, controlled by the applied laser fluence, different sizes and elemental composition. The Cu/Zn ratio of the nanoparticles was determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and selected area electron diffraction. The CuZn nanoparticles were about 2-3 nm in size, and Cu-rich, varying between 70 and 95%. Increasing the laser fluence from 1.6 to 3.2 J cm-2 yielded larger particles, more stacking fault defects, and repeated nanotwinning, as evident from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, aided by (inverse) fast Fourier transform analysis. This is due to the higher plasma temperature, leading to increased random collisions/diffusion of primary nanoparticles and their incomplete ordering due to immediate solidification typical of ultrashort pulses. The femtosecond laser-synthesized often nanotwinned CuZn nanoparticles were supported on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and applied for ethylene hydrogenation, demonstrating their promising potential as model catalysts. Nanoparticles produced at 3.2 J cm-2 exhibited lower catalytic activity than those made at 2.7 J cm-2. Presumably, agglomeration/aggregation of especially 2-3 nm sized nanoparticles, as observed by postreaction analysis, resulted in a decrease in the surface area to volume ratio and thus in the number of low-coordinated active sites.

Physical Regimes and Mechanisms of Picosecond Laser Fragmentation of Gold Nanoparticles in Water from X-ray Probing and Atomistic Simulations

Laser fragmentation in liquids has emerged as a promising green chemistry technique for changing the size, shape, structure, and phase composition of colloidal nanoparticles, thus tuning their properties to the needs of practical applications. The advancement of this technique requires a solid understanding of the mechanisms of laser-nanoparticle interactions that lead to the fragmentation. While theoretical studies have made impressive practical and mechanistic predictions, their experimental validation is required. Hence, using the picosecond laser fragmentation of Au nanoparticles in water as a model system, the transient melting and fragmentation processes are investigated with a combination of time-resolved X-ray probing and atomistic simulations. The direct comparison of the diffraction profiles predicted in the simulations and measured in experiments has revealed a sequence of several nonequilibrium processes triggered by the laser irradiation. At low laser fluences, in the regime of nanoparticle melting and resolidification, the results provide evidence of a transient superheating of crystalline nanoparticles above the melting temperature. At fluences about three times the melting threshold, the fragmentation starts with evaporation of Au atoms and their condensation into small satellite nanoparticles. As fluence increases above five times the melting threshold, a transition to a rapid (explosive) phase decomposition of superheated nanoparticles into small liquid droplets and vapor phase atoms is observed. The transition to the phase explosion fragmentation regime is signified by prominent changes in the small-angle X-ray scattering profiles measured in experiments and calculated in simulations. The good match between the experimental and computational diffraction profiles gives credence to the physical picture of the cascade of thermal fragmentation regimes revealed in the simulations and demonstrates the high promise of the joint tightly integrated computational and experimental efforts.

Formation of Periodic Surface Structures by Multipulse Femtosecond Laser Processing of Au-Coated Ni in Various Fluids

Using multipulse linearly polarized femtosecond laser processing of a Au-coated Ni surface in various liquid media created subwavelength self-organized nanoripples. The thin gold film improved the laser absorptivity, decreasing the ripple generation threshold in liquids. High spatial frequency ripples exhibited lower angular deviation than low spatial frequency ones, but in water the deviation was comparable for both types of ripples. The initiation of nanoripples may precede nanoparticle generation, which is why in hexane several cuboid Au particles were trapped between the ripples. Fast cooling processes freeze ejected molten droplets during the phase explosion and surface reorganization. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction of samples processed in butanol showed a small shift toward smaller angles for the Ni phase, indicating a lattice expansion due to higher tensile stress. Confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy detected surface graphitization and amorphization in areas laser-treated in ethanol, butanol, and hexane, with the highest carbonization observed in butanol. Presumably, femtosecond laser-induced photolysis triggers the formation of graphite nanocrystallites, and consecutive pulses cause amorphization. Static contact angle measurements showed a general tendency toward hydrophobicity with highest contact angles for rippled areas created in butanol.

Photomechanical Laser Fragmentation of IrO2 Microparticles for the Synthesis of Active and Redox-Sensitive Colloidal Nanoclusters

Pulsed laser fragmentation of microparticles (MPs) in liquid is a synthesis method for producing high-purity nanoparticles (NPs) from virtually any material. Compared with laser ablation in liquids (LAL), the use of MPs enables a fully continuous, single-step synthesis of colloidal NPs. Although having been employed in several studies, neither the fragmentation mechanism nor the efficiency or scalability have been described. Starting from time-resolved investigations of the single-pulse fragmentation of single IrO₂ MPs in water, the contribution of stress-mediated processes to the fragmentation mechanism is highlighted. Single-pulse, multiparticle fragmentation is then performed in a continuously operated liquid jet. Here, 2 nm-sized nanoclusters (NCs) accompanied by larger fragments with sizes ranging between several ten nm and several µm are generated. For the nanosized product, an unprecedented efficiency of up to 18 µg J^-1 is reached, which exceeds comparable values reported for high-power LAL by one order of magnitude. The generated NCs exhibit high catalytic activity and stability in oxygen evolution reactions while simultaneously expressing a redox-sensitive fluorescence, thus rendering them promising candidates in electrocatalytic sensing. The provided insights will pave the way for laser fragmentation of MPs to become a versatile, scalable yet simple technique for nanomaterial design and development.

A comprehensive review and outlook on the experimental techniques to investigate the complex dynamics of pulsed laser ablation in liquid for nanoparticle synthesis

Pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) has been established as one of the most efficient and impactful methods for producing pure and ligand-free nanoparticles (NPs). PLAL has successfully been utilized for the synthesis of metal NPs, semiconductor NPs, ceramic NPs, and even nanocomposites. A variety of NPs, including core-shell, nanocubes, nanorods, and many other complex structures, can be synthesized using PLAL. The versatility associated with PLAL has led to the synthesis of NPs that have found applications in the field of biomedicine, sensing technology, energy harvesting, and various industries. Despite all the aforementioned advantages, there has been an ambiguity in terms of conditions/parameters for the nanoparticle synthesis as reported by various research groups. This has led to a perception that PLAL provides little or no control over the properties of the synthesized NPs. The properties of the NPs are reliant on transient dynamics caused due to a high-intensity laser's interaction with the target material. To understand the process of nanoparticle synthesis and to control the properties of NPs, it is critical to understand the various processes that occur during PLAL. The investigation of PLAL is essential for understanding the dynamical processes involved. However, the investigation techniques employed to probe PLAL present their own set of difficulties, as high temporal as well as spatial resolution is a prerequisite to probe PLAL. Hence, the purpose of this Review is to understand the dynamical processes of PLAL and gain an insight into the various investigation techniques and their data interpretation. In addition to the current challenges, some ways of overcoming these challenges are also presented. The benefits of concurrent investigations with special emphasis on the simultaneous investigation by multiple techniques are summarized, and furthermore, a few examples are also provided to help the readers understand how the simultaneous investigation works.

Deep Subwavelength Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures on Silicon as a Novel Multifunctional Biosensing Platform

Strong light localization inside the nanoscale gaps provides remarkable opportunities for creation of various medical and biosensing platforms stimulating an active search for inexpensive and easily scalable fabrication at a sub-100 nm resolution. In this paper, self-organized laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSSs) with the shortest ever reported periodicity of 70 ± 10 nm were directly imprinted on the crystalline Si wafer upon its direct femtosecond-laser ablation in isopropanol. Appearance of such a nanoscale morphology was explained by the formation of a periodic topography on the surface of photoexcited Si driven by interference phenomena as well as subsequent down-scaling of the imprinted grating period via Rayleigh-Taylor hydrodynamic instability. The produced deep subwavelength LIPSSs demonstrate strong anisotropic anti-reflection performance, ensuring efficient delivery of the incident far-field radiation to the electromagnetic "hot spots" localized in the Si nanogaps. This allows realization of various optical biosensing platforms operating via strong interactions of quantum emitters with nanoscale light fields. The demonstrated 80-fold enhancement of spontaneous emission from the attached nanolayer of organic dye molecules and in situ optical tracing of catalytic molecular transformations substantiate bare and metal-capped deep subwavelength Si LIPSSs as a promising inexpensive multifunctional biosensing platform.

Near-Infrared Femtosecond Laser Ablation of Au-Coated Ni: Effect of Organic Fluids and Water on Crater Morphology, Ablation Efficiency and Hydrodynamic Properties of NiAu Nanoparticles

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and profilometry of the crater morphology and ablation efficiency upon femtosecond laser ablation of Au-coated Ni targets in various fluids revealed a pronounced dependence on the ablation medium. For ethanol, a sufficient ablation efficiency was obtained, whereas for 2-butanol a higher efficiency indicated stronger laser-target interaction. Hierarchical features in the crater periphery pointed to asymmetrical energy deposition or a residual effect of the Coulomb-explosion-initiating ablation. Significant beam deviation in 2-butanol caused maximum multiple scattering at the crater bottom. The highest values of microstrain and increased grain size, obtained from Williamson-Hall plots, indicated the superposition of mechanical stress, defect formation and propagation of fatigue cracks in the crater circumference. For n-hexane, deposition of frozen droplets in the outer crater region suggested a femtosecond-laser-induced phase explosion. A maximum ablation depth occurred in water, likely due to its high cooling efficiency. Grazing incidence micro X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) of the used target showed residual carbon and partial surface oxidation. The produced nanoparticle colloids were examined by multiangle dynamic light scattering (DLS), employing larger scattering angles for higher sensitivity toward smaller nanoparticles. The smallest nanoparticles were obtained in 2-butanol and ethanol. In n-hexane, floating carbon flakes originated from femtosecond-laser-induced solvent decomposition.

Pulsed Laser in Liquids Made Nanomaterials for Catalysis

Catalysis is essential to modern life and has a huge economic impact. The development of new catalysts critically depends on synthetic methods that enable the preparation of tailored nanomaterials. Pulsed laser in liquids synthesis can produce uniform, multicomponent, nonequilibrium nanomaterials with independently and precisely controlled properties, such as size, composition, morphology, defect density, and atomistic structure within the nanoparticle and at its surface. We cover the fundamentals, unique advantages, challenges, and experimental solutions of this powerful technique and review the state-of-the-art of laser-made electrocatalysts for water oxidation, oxygen reduction, hydrogen evolution, nitrogen reduction, carbon dioxide reduction, and organic oxidations, followed by laser-made nanomaterials for light-driven catalytic processes and heterogeneous catalysis of thermochemical processes. We also highlight laser-synthesized nanomaterials for which proposed catalytic applications exist. This review provides a practical guide to how the catalysis community can capitalize on pulsed laser in liquids synthesis to advance catalyst development, by leveraging the synergies of two fields of intensive research.

Utilization of group 10 2D TMDs-PdSe2 as a nonlinear optical material for obtaining switchable laser pulse generation modes

In-plane anisotropic two-dimensional (2D) materials have gained considerable interest in the field of research, due to having the potential of being used in different device applications. Recently, among these 2D materials, group 10 transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) pentagonal Palladium diselenide (PdSe₂) is utilized in various sections of researches like nanoelectronics, thermoelectric, spintronics, optoelectronics, and ultrafast photonics, owing to its high air stability and broad absorption spectrum properties. In this paper, it is demonstrated that by utilizing this novel 2D layered PdSe₂ material as a saturable absorber (SA) in an EDF laser system, it is possible to obtain switchable laser pulse generation modes. At first, the Q-switching operation mode is attained at a threshold pump power of 56.8 mW at 1564 nm, where the modulation range of pulse duration and repetition rate is 18.5 μs-2.0 μs and 16.4 kHz-57.0 kHz, respectively. Afterward, the laser pulse generation mode is switched to the mode-locked state at a pump power of 63.1 mW (threshold value) by changing the polarization condition inside the laser cavity, and this phenomenon persists until the maximum pump power of 230.4 mW. For this mode-locking operation, the achieved pulse duration is 766 fs, corresponding to the central wavelength and 3 dB bandwidth of 1566 nm and 4.16 nm, respectively. Finally, it is illustrated that PdSe₂ exhibits a modulation depth of 7.01%, which substantiates the high nonlinearity of the material. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first time of switchable modes for laser pulse generation are achieved by using this PdSe₂ SA. Therefore, this work will encourage the research community to carry out further studies with this PdSe₂ material in the future.

Nonlinear and thermo-optical characterisation of bareimidazoliumionic liquids

Nonlinear optical (NLO) and thermo-optical properties of two pure ionic liquids, BMIOMe.NTf2and BMIOMe.N(CN)2, were examined in this study. This was the first nonlinear refractive index determination of a pristine ionic liquid by a standard self-refraction experiment. The NLO characterisations were performed using Z-scan and EZ-scan techniques in the thermally managed approach, with a mode-locked femtosecond laser source. Thermal properties were analysed concomitantly, and the thermo-optical coefficient, thermal characteristic time, and lens strength were characterised. These results define the parameters to be adopted in the method of nanoparticles formation by laser ablation in an ionic liquid solution and indicate that BMIOMe.NTf2is a prominent material to be engineered for photonics applications.

Chemical and Laser Ablation Synthesis of Monometallic and Bimetallic Ni-Based Nanoparticles

The catalytic properties of nanoparticles depend on their size, shape and surface/defect structure, with the entire catalyst performance being governed by the corresponding distributions. Herein, we present two routes of mono- and bimetallic nanoparticle synthesis that enable control of the structural parameters, i.e., wet-chemical synthesis and laser ablation in liquid-phase. The latter is particularly suited to create defect-rich nanoparticles. Impregnation routes were applied to prepare Ni and NiCu nanoparticles, whereas nano- and femtosecond laser ablation in liquid-phase were employed to prepare Ni and NiAu nanoparticles. The effects of the Ni:Cu ratio in impregnation and of laser fluence and liquid-medium on laser ablation are discussed. The atomic structure and (surface) composition of the nanoparticles were characterized by electron microscopic (BF-TEM, DF-TEM, HRTEM) and spectroscopic/diffraction techniques (EDX, SAED, XPS, IR), complemented by theory (DFT). The chemically synthesized bimetallic NiCu nanoparticles initially had Cu-rich surfaces, which changed to Ni-rich upon reaction. For laser ablation, depending on conditions (fluence, type of liquid), highly defective, ordered, or core/shell-like nanoparticles were produced. The case studies highlight the specific benefits of each preparation method for catalyst synthesis and discuss the potential of nanoparticles produced by pulsed laser ablation for catalytic applications.

Novel perspectives of laser ablation in liquids: the formation of a high-pressure orthorhombic FeS phase and absorption of FeS-derived colloids on a porous surface for solar-light photocatalytic wastewater cleaning

A pulsed Nd : YAG laser ablation of FeS in water and ethanol produces FeS-derived colloidal nanoparticles that absorb onto immersed porous ceramic substrates and create solar-light photocatalytic surfaces. The stability, size distribution and zeta potential of the nanoparticles were assessed by dynamic light scattering. Raman, UV-Vis and XP spectroscopy and electron microscopy reveal that the sol nanoparticles have their outmost layer composed of ferrous and ferric sulphates and those produced in water are made of high-pressure orthorhombic FeS, cubic magnetite Fe3O4 and tetragonal maghemite γ-Fe2O3, while those formed in ethanol contain hexagonal FeS and cubic magnetite Fe3O4. Both colloids absorb solar light and their adsorption to porous ceramic surfaces creates functionalized ceramic surfaces that induce methylene blue degradation by daylight. The laser induced process thus offers an easy and efficient way for the functionalization of porous surfaces by photocatalytic nanoparticles that avoids aggregation in the liquid phase. The formation of an orthorhombic high-pressure FeS phase stable under ambient conditions is the first example of high-pressure structures produced by laser ablation in liquid without the assistance of an electric field.

Composition and structure of magnetic high-temperature-phase, stable Fe-Au core-shell nanoparticles with zero-valent bcc Fe core

Advanced quantitative TEM/EDXS methods were used to characterize different ultrastructures of magnetic Fe-Au core-shell nanoparticles formed by laser ablation in liquids. The findings demonstrate the presence of Au-rich alloy shells with varying composition in all structures and elemental bcc Fe cores. The identified structures are metastable phases interpreted by analogy to the bulk phase diagram. Based on this, we propose a formation mechanism of these complex ultrastructures. To show the magnetic response of these magnetic core nanoparticles protected by a noble metal shell, we demonstrate the formation of nanostrands in the presence of an external magnetic field. We find that it is possible to control the lengths of these strands by the iron content within the alloy nanoparticles.

The influence of the fluid nature on femtosecond laser ablation properties of a SiO2/Si target and synthesis of ultrafine-grained Si nanoparticles

Nanocrystalline silicon nanoparticles with a median crystallite size of 3-4 nm and several crystalline phases and defects (e.g. twin boundary) were produced by femtosecond laser processing of a SiO2/Si target in various organic fluids. Furthermore, a nanoscaled amorphous oxide layer and a few atomic layers of a graphite shell were detected in ethanol and 2-butanol correspondingly. The ultrafast laser pulses may manipulate nanostructures at the atomic level and generate a high density of defects; this may be correlated with significant thermal stresses on nanoparticles and rapid condensation of primary nanoparticles with high cooling rates. Size distribution width and a polydispersity index slightly increased with increasing laser fluence in ethanol. In 2-butanol, the maximum ablation volume was observed. The specific ablation rates in 2-butanol and ethanol were approximately five times higher than n-hexane. The lowest ablation efficiency in n-hexane can be associated with femtosecond laser-induced photolysis and pyrolysis of solvent molecules, as total energy deposition on the material may be reduced due to the formation of carbonaceous products. The roughened zones (average roughness of ∼400 nm) in circumferences of the ablated craters in 2-butanol may be related to a correlation between the erosive power of the vapour bubble collapse and higher pressure at the bubble wall in relatively high dynamic viscosity fluids. Furthermore, sputtering of a pristine surface by releasing nanoparticles from the collective collapse of up-flow vapour bubbles can also contribute to the generation of roughened regions.

Three-Step Description of Single-Pulse Formation of Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures on Metals

Two different scenarios are usually invoked in the formation of femtosecond Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS), either "self-organization" mechanisms or a purely "plasmonic" approach. In this paper, a three-step model of formation of single-laser-shot LIPSS is summarized. It is based on the periodic perturbation of the electronic temperature followed by an amplification, for given spatial periods, of the modulation in the lattice temperature and a final possible relocation by hydrodynamic instabilities. An analytical theory of the evolution of the temperature inhomogeneities is reported and supported by numerical calculations on the examples of three different metals: Al, Au, and Mo. The criteria of the possibility of hydrodynamic instabilities are also discussed.

Room-Temperature Laser Synthesis in Liquid of Oxide, Metal-Oxide Core-Shells, and Doped Oxide Nanoparticles

Although oxide nanoparticles are ubiquitous in science and technology, a multitude of compositions, phases, structures, and doping levels exist, each one requiring a variety of conditions for their synthesis and modification. Besides, experimental procedures are frequently dominated by high temperatures or pressures and by chemical contaminants or waste. In recent years, laser synthesis of colloids emerged as a versatile approach to access a library of clean oxide nanoparticles relying on only four main strategies running at room temperature and ambient pressure: laser ablation in liquid, laser fragmentation in liquid, laser melting in liquid and laser defect-engineering in liquid. Here, established laser-based methodologies are reviewed through the presentation of a panorama of oxide nanoparticles which include pure oxidic phases, as well as unconventional structures like defective or doped oxides, non-equilibrium compounds, metal-oxide core-shells and other anisotropic morphologies. So far, these materials showed several useful properties that are discussed with special emphasis on catalytic, biomedical and optical application. Yet, given the endless number of mixed compounds accessible by the laser-assisted methodologies, there is still a lot of room to expand the library of nano-crystals and to refine the control over products as well as to improve the understanding of the whole process of nanoparticle formation. To that end, this review aims to identify the perspectives and unique opportunities of laser-based synthesis and processing of colloids for future studies of oxide nanomaterial-oriented sciences.

Laser-Synthesis of NV-Centers-Enriched Nanodiamonds: Effect of Different Nitrogen Sources

Due to the large number of possible applications in quantum technology fields—especially regarding quantum sensing—of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in nanodiamonds (NDs), research on a cheap, scalable and effective NDs synthesis technique has acquired an increasing interest. Standard production methods, such as detonation and grinding, require multistep post-synthesis processes and do not allow precise control in the size and fluorescence intensity of NDs. For this reason, a different approach consisting of pulsed laser ablation of carbon precursors has recently been proposed. In this work, we demonstrate the synthesis of NV-fluorescent NDs through pulsed laser ablation of an N-doped graphite target. The obtained NDs are fully characterized in the morphological and optical properties, in particular with optically detected magnetic resonance spectroscopy to unequivocally prove the NV origin of the NDs photoluminescence. Moreover, to compare the different fluorescent NDs laser-ablation-based synthesis techniques recently developed, we report an analysis of the effect of the medium in which laser ablation of graphite is performed. Along with it, thermodynamic aspects of the physical processes occurring during laser irradiation are analyzed. Finally, we show that the use of properly N-doped graphite as a target for laser ablation can lead to precise control in the number of NV centers in the produced NDs.

Effect of a liquid environment on single-pulse generation of laser induced periodic surface structures and nanoparticles

The effect of a liquid environment on the fundamental mechanisms of surface nanostructuring and generation of nanoparticles by single pulse laser ablation is investigated in a closely integrated computational and experimental study. A large-scale molecular dynamics simulation of spatially modulated ablation of Cr in water reveals a complex picture of the dynamic interaction between the ablation plume and water. Ablation plume is found to be rapidly decelerated by the water environment, resulting the formation and prompt disintegration of a hot metal layer at the interface between the ablation and water. A major fraction of the ablation plume is laterally redistributed and redeposited back to the target, forming smooth frozen surface features. Good agreement between the shapes of the surface features predicted in the simulation and the ones generated in single pulse laser ablation experiments performed for Cr in water supports the mechanistic insights revealed in the simulation. The results of this study suggest that the presence of a liquid environment can eliminate the sharp features of the surface morphology, reduce the amount of the material removed from the target by more than an order of magnitude, and narrow down the nanoparticle size distribution as compared to laser ablation under vacuum. Moreover, the computational predictions of the effective incorporation of molecules constituting the liquid environment into the surface region of the irradiated target and the generation of high vacancy concentrations, exceeding the equilibrium levels by more than an order of magnitude, suggest a potential for hyperdoping of laser-generated surfaces by solutes present in the liquid environment.

Effective size separation of laser-generated, surfactant-free nanoparticles by continuous centrifugation

High-power, nanosecond, pulsed-laser ablation in liquids enables the continuous synthesis of highly pure colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) at an application-relevant scale. The gained mass-weighted particle size distribution is however often reported to be broad, requiring post treatment like centrifugation to remove undesired particle size fractions. To date, available centrifugation techniques are generally discontinuous, limiting the throughput and hindering economic upscaling. Hence, throughout this paper, a scalable, continuously operating centrifugation of laser-generated platinum NPs in a tubular bowl centrifuge is reported for the first time. To that end, using a 121 W ns-laser, the continuous production of a colloidal suspension of NPs, yet with broad particle size distribution has been employed, yielding productivities of 1-2 g h^-1 for gold, silver, and platinum. The power-specific productivities (Au: 18 mg h^-1 W^-1, Pt: 13 mg h^-1 W^-1, Ag: 8 mg h^-1 W^-1, Ni: 6 mg h^-1 W^-1) are far higher than reported before. Subsequent downstream integration of a continuously operating tubular bowl centrifuge was successfully achieved for Pt NPs allowing the removal of undesired particle size with high throughput. By means of a systematic study of relevant centrifugation parameters involved, effective size optimization and respective size sharpness parameters for a maximum Pt NP diameter of 10 nm are reported. The results of the experimental centrifugation of laser-generated Pt NPs were in excellent agreement with the theoretically calculated cut-off diameter. After centrifugation with optimized parameters (residence time of 5 min; g-force of 38,454 g), the polydispersity indices of the Pt NPs size distributions were reduced by a factor of six, and high monodispersity was observed.

The effect of pulse duration on nanoparticle generation in pulsed laser ablation in liquids: insights from large-scale atomistic simulations

The effect of the laser pulse duration on the nanoparticle generation in laser ablation in liquids is investigated; three mechanisms operating at different stages of the ablation process and in different parts of the cavitation bubble are identified.

Numerical Investigation of Ultrashort Laser-Ablative Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles in Liquids Using the Atomistic-Continuum Model

We present a framework based on the atomistic continuum model, combining the Molecular Dynamics (MD) and Two Temperature Model (TTM) approaches, to characterize the growth of metal nanoparticles (NPs) under ultrashort laser ablation from a solid target in water ambient. The model is capable of addressing the kinetics of fast non-equilibrium laser-induced phase transition processes at atomic resolution, while in continuum it accounts for the effect of free carriers, playing a determinant role during short laser pulse interaction processes with metals. The results of our simulations clarify possible mechanisms, which can be responsible for the observed experimental data, including the presence of two populations of NPs, having a small (5–15 nm) and larger (tens of nm) mean size. The formed NPs are of importance for a variety of applications in energy, catalysis and healthcare.

Carbon coated TiO2 nanoparticles prepared by pulsed laser ablation in liquid, gaseous and supercritical CO2

We report on the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using nanosecond pulse laser ablation of titanium in liquid, gaseous and supercritical CO2. The produced particles were observed to be mainly anatase-TiO2 with some rutile-TiO2. In addition, the particles were covered by a carbon layer. Raman and x-ray diffraction data suggested that the rutile content increases with CO2 pressure. The nanoparticle size decreased and size distribution became narrower with the increase in CO2 pressure and temperature, however the variation trend was different for CO2 pressure compared to temperature. Pulsed laser ablation in pressurized CO2 is demonstrated as a single step method for making anatase-TiO2/carbon nanoparticles throughout the pressure and temperature ranges 5-40 MPa and 30 °C-50 °C, respectively.

Doping nanoparticles using pulsed laser ablation in a liquid containing the doping agent

While doping of semiconductors or oxides is crucial for numerous technological applications, its control remains difficult especially when the material is reduced down to the nanometric scale. In this paper, we show that pulsed laser ablation of an undoped solid target in an aqueous solution containing activator ions offers a new way to synthesise doped-nanoparticles. The doping efficiency is evaluated for laser ablation of an undoped Gd₂O₃ target in aqueous solutions of EuCl₃ with molar concentration from 10^-5 mol L^-1 to 10^-3 mol L^-1. Thanks to luminescence experiments, we show that the europium ions penetrate the core of the synthesised monoclinic Gd₂O₃ nanoparticles. We also show that the concentration of the activators in the nanoparticles is proportional to the initial concentration in europium ions in the aqueous solution, and a doping of about 1% ([Eu]/[Gd] atomic ratio) is reached. On the one hand, this work could open new ways for the synthesis of doped nanomaterials. On the other hand, it also raises the question of undesired penetration of impurities in laser-generated nanoparticles in liquids.

Pulse Duration and Wavelength Effects of Laser Ablation on the Oxidation, Hydrolysis, and Aging of Aluminum Nanoparticles in Water

We analyzed the formation of the aluminum (Al) nanoparticles (NPs) with triangular shape obtained by ablating Al bulk in liquid using pulses with different durations (5 ns, 200 ps, and 30 fs) and wavelengths (355 nm, 800 nm, and 1064 nm). We report three stages of synthesis and aging of Al NPs: Formation, transformation, and stable stage. The NPs prepared by different pulses are almost identical at the initial stage. The effects of duration and wavelength of the ablation pulses on the aging of NPs are revealed. Pulse duration is determined to be essential for morphological transformation of NPs, while pulse wavelength strongly influences particle sizes. NPs produced by ultra-short pulses have smaller sizes and narrow size distribution. We demonstrate that oxidation and hydrolysis of Al in water are the results of ablation for all pulse durations and wavelengths, which also strongly modify the preferable reaction path of NPs in water, thus affecting the composition and morphology of triangle NPs. The results of modeling of the NPs generation in water due to a 50 ps laser pulse interacting with a thick Al target are presented. Water-based effects in the formation of NPs, their evolution, and solidification are considered from the mechanical and thermophysical points of view. The detailed analysis of the modeling results allowed for determination of the main mechanism responsible for the ablation process followed by the NPs formation.

Volume holographic recording in Al nanoparticles dispersed phenanthrenequinone-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) photopolymer

High-performance material plays a crucial role in holographic data storage, which is a noteworthy technology with potential applications in the field of high capacity data storage. We report on a new kind of holographic storage material based on aluminum nanoparticles (Al NPs) dispersed phenanthrenequinone-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PQ/PMMA) photopolymer. Al NPs are efficiently synthesized in a monomer solvent using laser ablation in liquids without chemical precursors. It is shown that an increase in diffraction efficiency and recording sensitivity is achieved in both traditional holography and polarization holography by doping with Al NPs. After 4 h of ablation, the new material exhibited an improvement in the diffraction efficiency for both traditional holography and polarization holography from 2.85% to 57.15% and from 0.6% to 4.07%, respectively. We also investigated the image recording and reconstruction performance for both traditional and polarization holography and the results indicate that the proposed material has noticeable potential as a holographic storage material. Additionally, it also possesses excellent potential for holographic position multiplexing recording. We conclude that laser ablation in a liquid is a promising option for processing low-cost nano-doped holographic storage material.

Early appearance of crystalline nanoparticles in pulsed laser ablation in liquids dynamics

The size and crystallinity of gold and silver nanoparticles during the process of pulsed laser ablation in water (PLAL) is investigated with microsecond and sub-microsecond time resolution. While basic observations have already been established, such as detection of particles inside the cavitation bubble, trapping of ablated matter by the bubble or the action of size quenching on a sub-millisecond time scale, the structure formation mechanism is still a matter of debate. Quantifying the nanoparticle release and crystallinity close to the irradiated metal target by wide and small angle X-ray scattering reveals the presence of nanoparticles ahead of the developing vapour bubble and inside the bubble. While the (temporal) distribution is in agreement with a homogeneously particle-filled bubble, solid particles are detected at the advancing bubble front. Wide-angle X-ray scattering confirms the crystalline nature of these large particles. This reveals that for picosecond ablation the expulsion of condensed phases of material during the ablation process adds significantly to the bimodal size distribution, relating to recent models of film lift-off and liquid metal Rayleigh instabilities.

Rapid, high-quality microfabrication of thermoset polymer PDMS using laser-induced bubbles

Bubbles can be formed by focusing a high-power laser in a liquid. Based on this phenomenon, the present study demonstrated a novel technique, referred to as microFabrication using Laser-Induced Bubbles (microFLIB), for the microfabrication of the thermoset polymer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). A conventional nanosecond green laser was focused at the interface between uncured PDMS and a metal target and scanned to generate a line of bubbles at the boundary. The hemispherical shapes of these bubbles produced a groove on the rear side of the PDMS substrate following subsequent thermal curing. After the fabrication of such specimens, metal films could be selectively deposited along the grooves by electroless plating. This process allows rapid, high-quality microfluidic fabrication with potential applications to biochips.

A system for the synthesis of nanoparticles by laser ablation in liquid that is remotely controlled with PC or smartphone

Nanoparticles find applications in multiple technological and scientific fields, and laser ablation in liquid (LAL) emerged as a versatile method for providing colloidal solutions of nanomaterials with various composition, by a low cost, simple, self-standing, and "green" procedure. However, the use of high energy and high power laser beams is harmful, especially when coupled with flammable or toxic liquids, and in situ operation is required for starting, monitoring the LAL synthesis, and stopping it at the desired point. Here we describe the hardware and software design and the test results of a system for the production of nanoparticles by laser ablation synthesis in liquid solution (LASiS), which is remotely controllable with a personal computer or a smartphone. In this system, laser energy and solution flux are selectable, and the synthesis status can be monitored and managed at any time off site. Only commercially available components and software are employed, making the whole apparatus easily reproducible in any LAL laboratory. The system has proven its reliability in various conditions, including intercontinental remote control experiments. Overall, this apparatus represents a step forward to improve the safety and to more efficiently exploit the time of people working with LASiS, thus contributing to the increasing demand for off-site real time monitoring of experimental equipment in many scientific and industrial laboratories, due to safety and efficiency requirements.

Kinetically-controlled laser-synthesis of colloidal high-entropy alloy nanoparticles

The single-step incorporation of multiple immiscible elements into colloidal high-entropy alloy (HEA) nanoparticles has manifold technological potential, but it continues to be a challenge for state-of-the-art synthesis methods. Hence, the development of a synthesis approach by which the chemical composition and phase of colloidal HEA nanoparticles can be controlled could lead to a new pool of nanoalloys with unparalleled functionalities. Herein, this study reports the single-step synthesis of colloidal CoCrFeMnNi HEA nanoparticles with targeted equimolar stoichiometry and diameters less than 5 nm by liquid-phase, ultrashort-pulsed laser ablation of the consolidated and heat-treated micropowders of the five constituent metals. Further, the scalability of the process with an unprecedented productivity of 3 grams of colloidal HEA nanoparticles per hour is demonstrated. Electrochemical analysis reveals a unique redox behavior of the particles' surfaces in an alkaline environment and a potential for future application as a heterogeneous catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction.

The laser ablation of a bulk CoCrFeMnNi high-entropy alloy immersed in liquid yields colloidal nanoparticles with diameters below 5 nm. Both, the chemical composition and the crystal lattice of the bulk material is preserved in the nanoparticles.

Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of Liquid-Assisted Laser Beam Micromachining Process

Liquid Assisted Laser Beam Micromachining (LA-LBMM) process is an advanced machining process that can overcome the limitations of traditional laser beam machining processes. This research involves the use of a Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation technique to investigate the complex and dynamic mechanisms involved in the LA-LBMM process both in static and dynamic mode. The results of the MD simulation are compared with those of Laser Beam Micromachining (LBMM) performed in air. The study revealed that machining during LA-LBMM process showed higher removal compared with LBMM process. The LA-LBMM process in dynamic mode showed lesser material removal compared with the static mode as the flowing water carrying the heat away from the machining zone. Investigation of the material removal mechanism revealed the presence of a thermal blanket and a bubble formation in the LA-LBMM process, aiding in higher material removal. The findings of this study provide further insights to strengthen the knowledge base of laser beam micromachining technology.

Two mechanisms of nanoparticle generation in picosecond laser ablation in liquids: the origin of the bimodal size distribution

The synthesis of chemically clean and environmentally friendly nanoparticles through pulsed laser ablation in liquids has shown a number of advantages over conventional chemical synthesis methods and has evolved into a thriving research field attracting laboratory and industrial applications. The fundamental understanding of processes leading to the nanoparticle generation, however, still remains elusive. In particular, the origin of bimodal nanoparticle size distributions in femto- and picosecond laser ablation in liquids, where small nanoparticles (several nanometers) with narrow size distribution are commonly observed to coexist with larger (tens to hundreds of nanometers) ones, has not been explained so far. In this paper, joint computational and experimental efforts are applied to understand the mechanisms of nanoparticle formation in picosecond laser ablation in liquids and to explain the bimodal nanoparticle size distributions. The results of a large-scale atomistic simulation reveal the critical role of the dynamic interaction between the ablation plume and the liquid environment, leading to the generation of large nanoparticles through a sequence of hydrodynamic instabilities at the plume-liquid interface and a concurrent nucleation and growth of small nanoparticles in an expanding metal-liquid mixing region. The computational predictions are supported by a series of stroboscopic videography experiments showing the emergence of small satellite bubbles surrounding the main cavitation bubble generated in single pulse experiments. Carefully timed double pulse irradiation triggers expansion of secondary cavitation bubbles indicating, in accord with the simulation results, the presence of localized sites of laser energy deposition (possibly large nanoparticles) injected into the liquid at the early stage of the bubble formation.

Laser Irradiation of Metal Oxide Films and Nanostructures: Applications and Advances

Recent technological advances in developing a diverse range of lasers have opened new avenues in material processing. Laser processing of materials involves their exposure to rapid and localized energy, which creates conditions of electronic and thermodynamic nonequilibrium. The laser-induced heat can be localized in space and time, enabling excellent control over the manipulation of materials. Metal oxides are of significant interest for applications ranging from microelectronics to medicine. Numerous studies have investigated the synthesis, manipulation, and patterning of metal oxide films and nanostructures. Besides providing a brief overview on the principles governing the laser-material interactions, here, the ongoing efforts in laser irradiation of metal oxide films and nanostructures for a variety of applications are reviewed. Latest advances in laser-assisted processing of metal oxides are summarized.

Generation of Subsurface Voids, Incubation Effect, and Formation of Nanoparticles in Short Pulse Laser Interactions with Bulk Metal Targets in Liquid: Molecular Dynamics Study

The ability of short pulse laser ablation in liquids to produce clean colloidal nanoparticles and unusual surface morphology has been employed in a broad range of practical applications. In this paper, we report the results of large-scale molecular dynamics simulations aimed at revealing the key processes that control the surface morphology and nanoparticle size distributions by pulsed laser ablation in liquids. The simulations of bulk Ag targets irradiated in water are performed with an advanced computational model combining a coarse-grained representation of liquid environment and an atomistic description of laser interaction with metal targets. For the irradiation conditions that correspond to the spallation regime in vacuum, the simulations predict that the water environment can prevent the complete separation of the spalled layer from the target, leading to the formation of large subsurface voids stabilized by rapid cooling and solidification. The subsequent irradiation of the laser-modified surface is found to result in a more efficient ablation and nanoparticle generation, thus suggesting the possibility of the incubation effect in multipulse laser ablation in liquids. The simulations performed at higher laser fluences that correspond to the phase explosion regime in vacuum reveal the accumulation of the ablation plume at the interface with the water environment and the formation of a hot metal layer. The water in contact with the metal layer is brought to the supercritical state and provides an environment suitable for nucleation and growth of small metal nanoparticles from metal atoms emitted from the hot metal layer. The metal layer itself has limited stability and can readily disintegrate into large (tens of nanometers) nanoparticles. The layer disintegration is facilitated by the Rayleigh-Taylor instability of the interface between the higher density metal layer decelerated by the pressure from the lighter supercritical water. The nanoparticles emerging from the layer disintegration are rapidly cooled and solidified due to the interaction with water environment, with a cooling rate of ∼2 × 10¹² K/s observed in the simulations. The computational prediction of two distinct mechanisms of nanoparticle formation yielding nanoparticles with different characteristic sizes provides a plausible explanation for the experimental observations of bimodal nanoparticle size distributions in laser ablation in liquids. The ultrahigh cooling and solidification rates suggest the possibility for generation of nanoparticles featuring metastable phases and highly nonequilibrium structures.

Pulsed laser ablation in liquids: Impact of the bubble dynamics on particle formation

Pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) is a multiscale process, involving multiple mutually interacting phenomena. In order to synthesize nanoparticles with well-defined properties it is important to understand the dynamics of the underlying structure evolution. We use visible-light stroboscopic imaging and X-ray radiography to investigate the dynamics occurring during PLAL of silver and gold on a macroscopic scale, whilst X-ray small angle scattering is utilized to deepen the understanding on particle genesis. By comparing our results with earlier reports we can elucidate the role of the cavitation bubble. We find that symmetry breaking at the liquid-solid interface is a critical factor for bubble motion and that the bubble motion acts on the particle distribution as confinement and retraction force to create secondary agglomerates.

Laser Synthesis and Processing of Colloids: Fundamentals and Applications

Driven by functionality and purity demand for applications of inorganic nanoparticle colloids in optics, biology, and energy, their surface chemistry has become a topic of intensive research interest. Consequently, ligand-free colloids are ideal reference materials for evaluating the effects of surface adsorbates from the initial state for application-oriented nanointegration purposes. After two decades of development, laser synthesis and processing of colloids (LSPC) has emerged as a convenient and scalable technique for the synthesis of ligand-free nanomaterials in sealed environments. In addition to the high-purity surface of LSPC-generated nanoparticles, other strengths of LSPC include its high throughput, convenience for preparing alloys or series of doped nanomaterials, and its continuous operation mode, suitable for downstream processing. Unscreened surface charge of LSPC-synthesized colloids is the key to achieving colloidal stability and high affinity to biomolecules as well as support materials, thereby enabling the fabrication of bioconjugates and heterogeneous catalysts. Accurate size control of LSPC-synthesized materials ranging from quantum dots to submicrometer spheres and recent upscaling advancement toward the multiple-gram scale are helpful for extending the applicability of LSPC-synthesized nanomaterials to various fields. By discussing key reports on both the fundamentals and the applications related to laser ablation, fragmentation, and melting in liquids, this Article presents a timely and critical review of this emerging topic.