Preparation of InP Nanoparticles by Laser Ablation in Liquid

A colloidal solution of InP nanoparticles was prepared by laser ablation in liquid. An InP target was irradiated in DI water, ethanol, and hexane with a Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm, 8 ns, 10 Hz). Indium metal nanoparticles were formed as a by-product during the preparation of InP nanoparticles by laser ablation in liquid. The primary particle size did not depend on the solvent or the energy density of laser. Nanoparticles were well-dispersed in ethanol by electrostatic repulsion, and they aggregated in DI water and hexane. The zeta potential of the nanoparticles in ethanol was ‒ 76 mV. Phosphoric acid was detected in the solvent when the DI water was used as a solvent for laser ablation in liquid. The InP target was decomposed into indium and phosphorus, and phosphorus reacted with the solvent.