Green laser assisted gold-iron oxide nanocomposite production

Abstract

The capability of laser ablation method in producing gold/iron oxide nanocomposite was studied experimentally. At first, Au and FeO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized in distilled water by laser ablation method. The fundamental wavelength of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser with 6 ns pulse width was employed to synthesize nanoparticles. Then mixtures of suspensions in different volumetric ratio were prepared and irradiated by the second harmonic beam of Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm to transfer energy to the mixtures and produce nanocomposite. Volumetric ratio of nanoparticles suspension in the mixtures was 1/1, 1/2 and 2/1. Several analytical techniques such as UV–Vis-NIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, DLS measurement, FTIR spectrum, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and TEM and SEM imaging were applied to characterize the products. According to the SEM micrographs, after green laser irradiation, Au NPs were melted and deformed and FeO nanoparticles were resided and connected to their surface. Results show that post irradiation of mixtures of nanoparticles by green laser is capable to create nanocomposite. In comparison with chemical based methods to produce composite nanostructures, this method is easy, fast and environmentally friendly method.