Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles in Liquid Environment by Laser Ablation with Geometrically Confined Configurations: Insights To Improve Size Control and Productivity

Abstract

Laser ablation of solid targets in liquid environment allows the generation of nanoparticles (NPs) with several useful properties such as high purity, easily functionalizable surface, metastable composition, or complex structure, including doped nanocrystals, core–shells, hollow microspheres, nanotruffles, or nanocrescents. However, the mechanisms of NPs formation is still not well understood, and challenges remain in size control and productivity. Here, we investigate how the asymmetry intrinsic of laser-matter interaction can influence the structure and yield of gold NPs produced with nanosecond pulses. In particular, we confined the geometry of the laser ablation configuration in three ways: by reducing the thickness of the solid target from bulk size to a few tens of nanometers, by reducing the size of the laser spot on the solid target, and finally, by reducing the lateral size of the bulk target. The interpretation of results was supported with numerical simulations of heat distribution inside the m...