Metalloid C–Mg, C and Mg nanoinks fabrication and colloidal stability studies

Utilizing Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid (PLAL), we demonstrate a novel route for producing metallic and metalloid nanoinks. 11 nanoinks, incorporating Mg, C, and C-Mg in diverse liquids of isopropyl alcohol (IPA), ethanol, hydrochloric acid, and glycerine were fabricated. Remarkably, metalloid C-Mg nanoinks with 70 nm NP diameter exhibit resistivity below 1 Ohm/square, surpassing constituent Mg or C nanoinks and a commercial graphene nanoink (>390 Ohm/square). Comprehensive characterization via XPS, TEM, SEM, EDX, DLS, and UV-Vis spectroscopy elucidates nanoink attributes. These nanoinks hold promising prospects for nanoink and surface coating applications. Intriguing morphologies including quasi-spherical and rod-shaped carbon NPs, tree-branch-like Mg NPs, and NP colonies with interstitial gaps emerge from SEM images. TEM reveals ultra-small particles (<10 nm). Nanoink stability assessment uncovers post-synthesis size reduction of metalloid nanoink particles after 5 days, attributed to enhanced Zeta potentials (19 to 72 mV) and heightened nanoparticle electrophoresis mobility.