Synthesis of Oxide Nanoparticles by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquids Containing a Complexing Molecule: Impact on Size Distributions and Prepared Phases

Abstract

We performed laser ablation of doped oxides, Y 2 O 3 :-Eu 3þ , Gd 2 O 3 :Eu 3þ , and Y 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce 3þ (YAG:Ce), in an aqueous solution of 2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]acetic acid (MEEAA). Nanoparticles are produced and characterized using electron microscopy and luminescence spectroscopy. We show that the polyether chain ensures the stabilization of the objects formed in aqueous medium while the complexing group limits their size and sharpens the size distribution. The nanoparticles produced from the sesquioxide targets are in a "cubic disordered" phase as expected for very small particles. The ablation of the YAG target leads to a majority of R-Al 2 O 3 and YAG nanoparticles and a minority of YAlO 3 nanoparticles. Infrared spectroscopy is used to characterize the nature of the complex formed between the ligand and the particle surface. We demonstrate that the coordination mode of the carboxylate (-COO -) group to metal ions of the nanoparticles' surface is the bridging bidentate mode.

In vivo optical imaging with rare earth doped Ca_2Si_5N_8 persistent luminescence nanoparticles

“…TEM measurements of the supernatant reveal that NPs obtained with this technique display relative small diameters in the range 3-5 nm (Fig. 3-left) in agreement with published results [20]. Indeed, the point of zero charge (PZC) is about 3.7 for this compound and the pH of the solution is about 7-8.…”

“…The sedimentation of the bigger particles or aggregates could be faster than the particles formation. Formation of aggregates with this method has already been reported and to limit such formation, additives are currently used [19,20]. Without any additives, aggregates with size larger than 350 nm are obtained.…”

“…Besides, various materials have already been obtained with this method such as metal NPs [18], semiconductors [19], dielectric compounds [20], but also nitride-based compounds such as C 3 N 4 [21]. For this reason, we first focused on PLAL in order to obtain CSN nanoparticules.…”

Broadband luminescence of Cu nanoparticles fabricated in SiO2 by ion implantation

“…Among several existing fabrication techniques for metallic nanoparticles, involving, for example nanosphere lithography [14], electron beam lithography [15], nanoimprint lithography [16], laser ablation [17], and ion implantation [18], many others [19], the ion implantation is now recognised as one of the simplest, cheapest, and most efficient techniques. Main advantages of ion implantation are fast, precise and independent control of impurity depth and dose, and ability of multi-energy implants for complex profiles.…”

Optical properties of flexible fluorescent films prepared by screen printing technology

“…8 The methods to fabricate the fluorescence films include liquid phase epitaxy, 9 laser pulse deposition method, 10,11 magnetron sputtering 12,13 and electrophoresis deposition. 14 However, these methods usually require expensive equipment and complicated technology.…”