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A simple strategy for enhanced production of nanoparticles by laser ablation in liquids

Upgrading the productivity of nanoparticles (NPs), generated by pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL), still remains challenging. Here a novel variant of PLAL was developed, where a doubled frequency Nd:YAG laser beam (532 nm, ~ 5 ns, 10 Hz) at different fluences and for different times was directed into a sealed vessel, toward the interface of the meniscus of ethanol with a tilted bulk metal target. Palladium, copper and silver NPs, synthesized in the performed proof of concept experiments, were mass quantified, by an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, and characterized by ultraviolet-visible extinction spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The NPs consist of crystalline metals of a few nm size and their ablation rates and agglomeration levels depend on the employed laser fluences. The ensuing laser power-specific productivity curves for each metal, peaked at specific laser fluences, were fitted to the results of a simple model accounting for plasma absorption and heat transfer. The resulting peaked yields and concentrations were more than an order of magnitude higher than those obtained for totally immersed targets. Besides, the measured productivities showed nearly linear dependencies during time intervals up to 30 min of ablation, but became saturated at 1 h, due to accumulation of a significant number of NPs along the laser beam path, reducing the laser intensity reaching the target. This suggested approach could inspire future studies that will contribute to further developments of efficient generation of NPs with controlled characteristics.