title: Synthesis of ceramic nanoparticles by ultrafast laser ablation of solid targets in water.
abstract: We report production of nanoparticles of several advanced ceramics (Si3N4, SiC, AlN, and Al2O3) by ablation with femtosecond laser pulses of solid targets submerged in deionized water. The products withstand comparison with commercial nanoparticle suspensions obtained by other techniques as they are analyzed by means of transmission electron microscopy. As compared with metal nanoparticles produced with the same technique, we have found that the overall dependence of mean sizes and distribution widths on the laser fluence is similar. We explain why it is difficult to synthetize very small (<5 nm) and monodisperse particles in terms of ablation mechanism and discuss the aplicability of the technique for industrial production.
authors.affiliation: Servicio Láser, Universidad de Salamanca, Spain.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Cruz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Méndez
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: García
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Torchia
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Delgado
authors.forename: Javier R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Vázquez de Aldana
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Arias
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roso
mesh_terms: D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D010316:Particle Size; D012996:Solutions; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D003102:Colloids; D012996:Solutions; D014867:Water