Generation of noble metal nanoparticles by laser ablation in liquids: the role of the molecular environment

We report the synthesis of silver nanoparticles by laser ablation of the bulk material in water and five other organic solvents employing a frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm. The colloidal suspensions were characterized by means of UV/VIS absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The reproducibility of the particles' size distribution and yield, which strongly depends on the solvent and the ablation condition, is critically reviewed. The agglomeration behaviour of silver particles was investigated as a function of temperature. The unusual role of water in the ablation process and upon agglomeration will be discussed.