Generation of Nanoparticles from FeCu Powder Using Femtosecond Laser

Abstract

The usage of optical force techniques such as lasers, provides contactless, and non-mechanical, microcrystal manipulation. Nanocrystalline materials are commonly produced using methods such as mechanical alloying, electrodeposition… (etc.). Bimetallic alloys and nanostructures containing Iron and Copper have been utilized for environmental solutions due to their exceptional electric and magnetic properties. The purpose of this study is to investigate the physical and optical properties of Iron Copper (FeCu) nanoparticles that are generated using femtosecond laser from Fe50Cu50 powder. Ethanol and vacuum mediums are utilized as alternative ablation mediums. Characterization of the material has been conducted through XRD, EDX and Absorption Spectroscopy. The resulted tests revealed a consistency in the iron and copper content, indicating that the material did not undergo any oxidation during the ablation processes. The absorption spectroscopy results revealed that the ablated nanoparticles resonated at a different wavelength than the bulk material, demonstrating that there was a shift in the optical properties. Additionally, the materials generated from ablation in Ethanol resulted in smaller grains compared to Vacuum ablation. Moreover, the chemical homogeneity was retained with no changes compared to the starting micron size particles which were utilized as a target for the ablation process.