Pulsed Laser Ablation In Liquid Research Articles

ZnO-Mn nanoparticles synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in liquid for photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B

Rhodamine B is a synthetic dye in the form of a powder, generally used for the purpose of changing colors in textile and paper factories. Rhodamine B is a chemical that is dangerous, absolutely should not be mixed in food, beverages and cosmetics, besides that rhodamine also has toxic properties so it must be degraded to reduce its toxicity. This research uses ZnO/Mn material which is synthesized using laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) technique as the degradation of rhodamine B waste. ZnO/Mn photocatalyst against rhodamine B dye. The results of the FE-SEM show that with the addition of Mn doping, the bond between the particles is getting better. ZnO/Mn with a variation of 0.1 mM obtained the best results for degradation, namely 89.474%, and the energy gap was 3.3196 eV.

One-Step Fabricate of Copper Nanoparticles via Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid: Influence of Energies on Physical Characterization

Pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) is considered a relatively fast, simple to manipulate, cost-effective abraoch, and enables the fabrecation of multiscale micro-nanostructures in one step, facilitating the fabrication process. Copper nanoparticles solution was prepared by PLAL technique using Nd:YAG laser in deionized water at (532 nm), (1000 pulse), and the energies (700 mJ, 800 mJ, 900 mJ, and 1000 mJ) with a fixed distance between the laser source and the sample, fixed amount of liquid, and the liquid rise above the copper was (5 mm). The effect of the excess of the laser energy in the preparation process was tested by analyzing the optical properties of the fabrecated samples by UV-Visible spectrophotometer, SEM, XRD, and EDX measurements.

Customization of structure, morphology and optical characteristics of silver and copper nanoparticles: Role of laser fluence tuning

Production of high purity silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) nanoparticles (NPs) with desired physical properties remains challenging. Thus, pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) method was used to prepare spherical AgNPs and CuNPs in deionized water (DIW) at various laser fluencies (LFs) (2.83–14.15 J cm−2). The structures, morphologies and optical behavior of these NPs as a function of varying LFs were determined. UV–Vis absorbance of these NPs was gradually increased accompanied by a blue shift. The optical band gap energy of AgNPs and CuNPs were in the range of 2.66–2.79 eV and 3.14–3.44 eV, respectively, wherein ATR-IR spectra confirmed their high purity. TEM and HRTEM images displayed the nucleation of spherical, homogenous, and crystalline AgNPs and CuNPs with corresponding mean diameter ranged from 8.1 to 32.5 nm and 6.2–33.1 nm. It is asserted that the obtained pure and spherical AgNPs and CuNPs with customized properties may be beneficial for photovoltaic and photocatalytic applications.

Characterization and antibacterial activity of silica-coated bismuth (Bi@SiO2) nanoparticles synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in liquid

This study investigates, for the first time, the characteristics and antibacterial activity of elemental bismuth nanoparticles (Bi NPs) synthesized using pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) coated with silica using the alcohol-ammonia-Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) method, producing Bi@SiO2 core–shell NPs, and evaluated the effect of Centrifuge selection on the resultant NPs. The synthesized Bi@SiO2 NPs were characterized using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV-Vis spectra measurements confirmed the successful coating of NPs and demonstrated that silica coating of Bi NPs increases the stability of the colloidal solution. EDXS and XRD analysis confirmed the preparation of pure metallic Bi NPs coated by SiO2. TEM images showed that Bi NPs were adequately coated and that the thickness of the silica shell increased with the amount of TEOS used. The antibacterial activity of the coated NPs against E. coli and S. aureus was subsequently assessed using the agar diffusion method. Bi@SiO2 NPs exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity, with an increase in efficacy and a higher potency against E. coli compared to uncoated Bi NPs. The diameter of the inhibition zones increased with the silica shell thickness and the NPs’ concentration.

Rapid fabrication of CuMoO4 nanocomposites via electric field assisted pulsed-laser ablation in liquids for electrochemical hydrogen generation

Transition–metal-doped electrocatalysts are considered as low-cost alternatives of Pt and RuO2 electrocatalysts for large scale electrochemical generations of hydrogen and oxygen, respectively. Although, chemical synthesis, typically adopted to produce these electrocatalysts, is scalable but hazardous by-products and chemical wastes create growing environmental concerns. Here, we developed a single step, single pot, and environmentally friendly physical approach of electric field-assisted pulsed laser ablation in liquid for the synthesis of colloidal solution of pure CuMoO4 (CMO) electrocatalysts. The entire process took few minutes and did not involve or generate any chemical. A pulsed picosecond laser was used to ablate MoS2 target at the solid-liquid interface to generate spatially confined plasma plume. Two parallel electrodes (copper sheets) were mounted around the plasma plume to modulate the plasma parameters, control the reactions at the plasma-liquid interface, and simultaneously inject copper ions from the electrode to the laser-produced plasma (LPP) for the generation of CMO. nanoparticles. Surprisingly, we observed that by varying the applied electric field, we can efficiently control the size, shape, crystallinity, morphology, and composition of as produced CMO nanocomposites and enhance their hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. The characterization results proves that the introduction of applied electric field during the laser ablation process significantly change the morphology of as-prepared nanomaterials, and the shape of these nanomaterials were spherical, spindle and cuboid for MoS2, CuO and CMO respectively. Among all the fabricated electrocatalysts, CMO-60 is the best HER performer in alkaline medium, while MoS2 and CuO nanoparticles were the worse. For CMO-60 sample, only 440 mV overpotential required to reach the current density of 10 mA/cm2 and as well as posess good stability. We found that electrocatalysts produced at a higher electric field have higher contents of copper and oxygen leading to a superior HER activity. The developed approach can be applied for the synthesis of other electrocatalysts for a range of chemical reactions.

In situ monitoring the productivity of ultra-small gold nanoparticles generated by pulsed-laser ablation of a high-speed rotating gold target in pure water

We investigate the productivity of ultra-small gold nanoparticles generated by pulsed-laser ablation in liquid of a high-speed rotating gold target as functions of laser ablation time and rotation speed of the target in the range 90–3000 rpm. These experiments were performed by in situ monitoring the extinction spectra of the gold colloidal suspension. The time evolution of the gold volume fraction in the colloidal suspension of the target was determined by modeling the extinction spectra using the shape distribution effective medium theory. The time dependence of the ablation rate, deduced from that of the volume fraction, shows an initial exponential decay followed by a steady-state value at longer ablation time. The influence of the laser-induced roughening of the target surface on the time evolution of the ablation rate is clearly demonstrated. The experimental results also reveal the dependence of the time evolution of the ablation rate of the target on its rotation speed. The effect of the liquid flow on the ablation rate of the target is analyzed and discussed.

In Vitro Evaluating Antimicrobial Activity for MgO Nanoparticles Prepared by PLAL

Pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) of metallic magnesium was used in this work to manufacture magnesium nanoparticles with varying average sizes (10–90[Formula: see text]nm). (2.07–3.44) [Formula: see text] 108[Formula: see text]W/cm2 of laser intensity and pulse rates of 100 pulses were used to create the nanoparticles. Laser power increased the number of nanoparticles in magnesium oxide (MgO) at 204[Formula: see text]nm absorption spectroscopic absorbance linearly. When the UV–Vis absorbance of nanoparticles rose, so did their colloidal density (measured in mg/mL). Nanoparticles are more likely to be produced at higher laser scanning rates: UV–Vis absorbance and nanoparticle diameters. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed that nanoparticles created dendritic patterns when put upon metal foil. The nanoparticles were measured using dynamic light scattering. When MgO particles were used in antibacterial activity against (in vitro) various gram-positive and gram-negative strains of bacteria, they had a demonstrable impact on some strains of bacteria. MgO has been shown to have antibacterial properties.

Scanning pulsed laser ablation in liquids: An alternative route to obtaining biocompatible YbFe nanoparticles as multiplatform contrast agents for combined MRI and CT imaging

Ytterbium ferrites are being used in many promising applications, such as visible-light photocatalysis, solar cells, magnetooptic devices, electro-magnetic equipment, etc., due to their fantastic ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties. However, despite their good magnetic and radiopaque features, the use of ytterbium ferrites as multiplatform contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) is still under-developed. This is mainly due to difficulties in obtaining stable and biocompatible aqueous colloidal dispersions of ytterbium ferrite nanoparticles. In order to overcome this limitation, this work explores an eco-friendly method to directly synthesize such dispersions by liquid-assisted pulsed laser ablation of ytterbium ferrite massive targets. First, orthorhombic bulk YbFeO3 targets were obtained by a reaction-sintering method. Then, colloidal dispersions of nanoparticles were produced directly in both distilled water and ethanol by irradiating the bulk YbFeO3 targets with high-power infrared nanosecond lasers pulses. A battery of techniques has been used to characterize the as synthesized YbFeO3 targets and colloidal dispersions of YbFe nanoparticles to determine their composition, structure, magnetic properties, X-ray attenuation potentials, and colloidal properties. Moreover, the biocompatibility of the systems was also analysed by MTT cell viability assay. Results indicated that the use of distilled water as ablation medium yields colloidal dispersions consisted mainly of paramagnetic ytterbium ferrite nanoparticles. Contrarily, the use of ethanol as solvent leads to colloidal dispersions of polycrystalline nanoparticles with both ferromagnetic and paramagnetic behaviour, due to the coexistence, in each nanoparticle, of ytterbium ferrite, ytterbium oxide, and iron oxide crystalline phases. Both colloidal dispersions exhibit also high biocompatibility and suitable X-ray attenuation properties. Moreover, they show bio-safe hydrodynamic sizes (lower than 200 nm) with acceptable overall hydrodynamic polydispersity index values (under 0.4), being stable in water for several weeks. These results pave the way for the future evaluation of Yb–Fe based nanoparticles as multiplatform contrast agents in multimodal MRI and CT imaging.

Solvent-dependent dispersion stability of PTCDI-C13 nanoparticle colloids made by PLAL

Fabrication of nanoparticle colloids of organic semiconductors is a fascinating subject not only because of its unique properties from the size-effects but also because of its practical advantage of low manufacturing cost for various electronic devices. The detail of its dispersion stability, however, is not studied properly, especially for organic colloids fabricated by pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) technique. In this study, the primary factor of stabilizing nanoparticles of N,N’-ditridecyl-3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PTCDI-C13) during PLAL is determined by observing the dispersion stability of its colloids prepared in various organic solvents. It is clearly proved that the functional group of solvents is the decisive factor for the dispersion stability of PTCDI-C13 colloids. This result can be applied to other organic semiconductors and promote the advent of a new methodology of organic electronics utilizing highly stable nanoparticle colloids of organic semiconductors for low-cost fabrication of electronic devices.

Nb2O5 nano and microspheres fabricated by laser ablation

This work presents a successful and novel method for the preparation of Nb2O5 nanoparticles via pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) by employing a pure Nb plate and deionised water. The effect of various laser fluences on the chemical, structural, morphological and optical characteristics was studied. Chemical characteristics confirmed the formation of the orthorhombic T-Nb2O5 structure. While the morphology characteristics showed spherical particles and its density dependency on the laser fluence. The Nb2O5 stoichiometry ranged between 42.20% and 88.86%. Additionally, the structural analysis showed peaks related to the orthorhombic T-Nb2O5 structure with grain size between 58.2 and 244.6 nm. Lastly, topographical images showed that the average particle size was in the range 6.8 and 32 nm, and sample roughness was between 17.39 and 1.377 nm.

Highly durable core(Nb4N5)–shell(NbOx)-structured non-precious metal catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in acidic media

In this study, we demonstrate an easy and eco-friendly synthesis method of Nb-based electrocatalysts using the combination of pulsed laser ablation in liquid and ammonia nitriding at various temperatures and times. Our electrocatalyst samples had a nanoparticle size with a core–shell structure, where the niobium nitride core was surrounded by a thin layer of niobium oxide shell. The nitriding conditions for the samples successfully modified the core structure to become more electrically conductive. The Nb4N5 @NbOx/C_5 h, the sample heat-treated at 900 °C for 5 h, exhibited a moderate onset potential and catalytic activity. More importantly, the oxygen reduction reaction performance of the Nb4N5 @NbOx/C_5h sample did not degrade over 10,000 potential cycles. Based on the above results, we suggest that the nitride core and the thin layer of the oxide shell might be responsible for oxygen reduction by facilitating electron transport and providing oxygen adsorption sites.

Optical and Structural Properties of Cobalt Nanoparticles Synthesized by Laser Ablation

Pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) technique can produce high purity nanoparticles, it is a top-down physical method based on the principle of dividing metal ion bulk precursors into metal atoms, this method was used in this work to synthesis cobalt nanoparticals (CoPNs) with the use of Nd: YAG laser with two wavelengths (355 nm) and (532 nm) at energies (500 mJ) and (600 mJ) respectively, with number of pulses (1000,1100, 1200, 1300, and 1400) for each wavelength. The properties of the prepared nanoparticles were studied by UV-Vis, XRD, SEM with EDX, AFM, and FTIR analysis and then its antibacterial activity was studied by applying it on two types of bacteria with gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans) and two gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) isolated from the oral cavity. The findings showed that CoNPs prepared using the PLAL approach have antibacterial activity and could be employed to kill hazardous and pathogenic bacteria.

Three-way metal cluster catalysts confined in zeolites produced by pulsed laser ablation in liquid

Three-way metal cluster catalysts confined in zeolites produced by pulsed laser ablation in liquid

Laser-Based Synthesis of TiO2-Pt Photocatalysts for Hydrogen Generation.

The development of visible-light active titanium dioxide is one of the key challenges in photocatalysis that stimulates the development of TiO2-based composite materials and methods for their synthesis. Here, we report the use of pristine and Pt-modified dark titanium dioxide prepared via pulsed laser ablation in liquid (Nd:YAG laser, 1064 nm, 7 ns) for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from alcohol aqueous solutions. The structure, textural, optical, photoelectrochemical, and electrochemical properties of the materials are studied by a complex of methods including X-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, electrophoretic light scattering, diffuse reflection spectroscopy, photoelectrochemical testing, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Both the thermal treatment effect and the effect of modification with platinum on photocatalytic properties of dark titania materials are studied. Optimal compositions and experimental conditions are selected, and high photocatalytic efficiency of the samples in the hydrogen evolution reaction (apparent quantum yield of H2 up to 0.38) is demonstrated when irradiated with soft UV and blue LED, i.e., 375 and 410 nm. The positive effect of low platinum concentrations on the increase in the catalytic activity of dark titania is explained.

Synthesis and characterization of GaN/quartz nanostructure using pulsed laser ablation in liquid

The pulsed laser ablation in liquid approach was used to synthesize gallium nitride (GaN) nanoparticles (NPs) at six distinct ablation energies. GaN target with purity of 99.999% submerged in 5 ml ethanol of 99.99% purty and fired with a Nd:YAG pulsed laser. The nanoparticle was deposited on a quartz substrate using the drop cast technique. Two peaks of h-GaN nanostructures are detected in the XRD pattern, at 2θ = 34.64 and 37.98, reflected from the (002) and (100) planes, respectively. The hexagonal crystal nature of GaN is indicated by the structural features, which is shown in the XRD pattern. The greatest laser power, 2000 mJ, shows a modest emission peaking at 3.34 eV, according to photoluminescence (PL) spectra. At 1400 mJ, the highest emission peak was 3.83 eV. The pulsed laser is used in this study to create nanoparticles with various characteristics.

A single liquid chromatography procedure to concentrate, separate and collect size-selected polyynes produced by pulsed laser ablation in water

Polyynes are linear carbon chains characterized by alternated single and triple bonds and terminated by hydrogen or other terminal substituents. They can be synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) as a scalable, cost-effective, and fast physical technique. Water can be employed as a solvent for PLAL to avoid toxicity problems and to reduce costs compared to organic solvents. However, in in this case, the production yield of polyynes reached is extremely low and prevents further characterization and implementation in new functional materials. In this work, we synthesized polyynes by pulsed laser ablation in water and we optimized the process parameters to improve the yield of polyynes by PLAL. Then, we developed a procedure entirely based on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) which effectively enables the concentration, separation and collection of polyynes according to their length. Since the polyynes sample is an aqueous solution, we could inject it directly into the RP-HPLC column without the dilution step required in the case of a sample in an organic solvent. Thanks to our single RP-HPLC procedure, it is possible to highly increase the concentration and separately characterize different size-selected polyynes for further use in functional materials.

Structural characterization of Au clusters deposited in the pores of the zeolite H-ZSM-5 using pulsed laser ablation in liquid

Gold clusters were deposited in the pores of the zeolite H-ZSM-5 using pulsed laser ablation of an Au target placed in acetone containing the zeolite particles. The Au clusters in the pores of the zeolite were observed using high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). The images revealed that most pores in the zeolite contained Au clusters. Additionally, the position of each Au atom in the clusters was determined by analyzing the HAADF-STEM images. The results revealed that when three Au atoms were visible in a pore, they were planar and aligned mostly parallel to the viewing plane, and when more than three Au atoms were present, a three-dimensional structure was formed because of the steric hindrance of the pore wall. Therefore, the Au clusters were deposited in the zeolite pores. Furthermore, most clusters in the pores were distributed near the surface of the channels of the zeolite particles.

Preparation of copper oxide nanosheets by pulsed laser ablation in liquid for anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities

In this work, the preparation of copper oxide (CuO) nanosheets by laser ablation in water was demonstrated. The optical, structural, stability, and morphological properties of CuO nanosheets were investigated using UV–Vis spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and zeta potential (ZP). The XRD results confirm the formation of crystalline (CuO) with a monoclinic phase. The optical energy gap of CuO nanosheets was found to be 2.2 eV at 300 k. The average thickness of the synthesized copper oxide nanosheets is 25 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray result confirms the formation of stoichiometric CuO. The zeta potential result confirms the synthesized CuO colloid is stable. Gram-positive bacteria are found to be more susceptible to CuO nanosheets than Gram-negative bacteria. The synthesized copper oxidenanosheets are tested for antibacterial activity against Gram (+ve) and Gram (-ve) bacteria stains. The results suggest that CuO NPS can give hydrogen atoms and remove the unstable electron from DPPH at a rate of 200 μg/ml than 12.50 μg/ml. The results demonstrate that the copper oxide nanosheets have an effective antioxidant. Furthermore, according to a cytotoxicity assay, when cancer cells are incubated with copper oxide nanosheets, they are unable to grow well. copper oxide nanosheets can induce apoptosis and suppress pancreatic cell proliferation.

Unraveling the Synergy of Anion Modulation on Co Electrocatalysts by Pulsed Laser for Water Splitting: Intermediate Capturing by In Situ/Operando Raman Studies.

Herein, the authors produce Co-based (Co3 (PO4 )2 , Co3 O4 , and Co9 S8 ) electrocatalysts via pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) to explore the synergy of anion modulation on phase-selective active sites in the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Co3 (PO4 )2 displays an ultralow overpotential of 230mV at 10mAcm-2 with 48.5mVdec-1 Tafel slope that outperforms the state-of-the-art Ir/C in OER due to its high intrinsic activity. Meanwhile, Co9 S8 exhibits the highest HER performance known to the authors among the synthesized Co-based catalysts, showing the lowest overpotential of 361mV at 10mAcm-2 with 95.8mVdec-1 Tafel slope in the alkaline medium and producing H2 gas with ≈500mmol g-1 h-1 yield rate under -0.45V versus RHE. The identified surface reactive intermediates over in situ electrochemical-Raman spectroscopy reveal that cobalt(hydr)oxides with higher oxidation states of Co-cation forming under oxidizing potentials on the electrode-electrolyte surface of Co3 (PO4 )2 facilitate the OER, while Co(OH)2 facilitate the HER. Notably, the fabricated two-electrode electrolyzers using Co3 (PO4 )2 , Co3 O4 , and Co9 S8 electrocatalysts deliver the cell potentials ≈2.01, 2.11, and 1.89V, respectively, at 10mAcm-2 . This work not only shows PLAL-synthesized electrocatalysts as promising candidates for water splitting, but also provides an underlying principle for advanced energy-conversion catalysts and beyond.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (IONPs): Synthesis, Surface Functionalization, and Targeting Drug Delivery Strategies: Mini-Review

Iron oxide-based magnetic nanoparticles (IONPs) have received remarkable attention in a wide range of applications because of their unique physicochemical properties’ inheritance to the nanoscale. Among these nanoparticles (NPs), superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), as powerful noninvasive NPs, are widely used in nanomedicine applications such as targeted drug/ gene delivery, magnetic separation, cancer therapy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hyperthermia because of their superparamagnetic activity and remarkable small size. The synthesis of SPIONs and surface modification of these NPs for biological applications is an interesting research topic. These NPs have high magnetic susceptibility, a single magnetic domain, and a controlled magnetic behavior due to the SPION superparamagnetic feature. This review aims to explore the recently developed synthetic routes of SPIONs and show the best parameters to prepare SPIONs using pulsed laser ablation in liquid “PLAL” for biomedical applications. Furthermore, we highlight the properties, coating, and functionalization of SPIONs and their importance for biomedical applications, including targeted drug delivery and cancer therapy.