Fabrication of oxide base nanostructures using pulsed laser ablation in aqueous solutions

Abstract

Nanoparticles of TiO2 and SnO2 were obtained by laser ablation of Ti and Sn targets in both deionized water and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solutions. The crystallinity of the nanoparticles strongly depended on the SDS concentration in the solution. Well-crystallized oxide nanoparticles were most abundantly fabricated in SDS solution with around the critical micelle concentration. An inorganic/organic layered nanocomposite consisting of a zinc hydroxide layer and a SDS lamellar interlayer was obtained by the ablation of Zn in SDS solutions. The oxide and/or hydroxide can be formed by the rapid reactive quenching with water in the liquid–plasma interface, where ablated species can be oxidized by aqueous oxidation. The surfactant in the liquid medium could affect the aggregation and growth of nuclei after the oxidation. The preparation of Pt/TiO2 nanocomposite particles by PLA of the bi-combinant target of Pt and TiO2 is also reported.