Laser ablation parameters influencing gold nanoparticle synthesis in water

The synthesis of gold nanoparticles using pulsed laser ablation in water has special interest in many scientific fields. The nanoparticle production in solution employing an Nd:YAG laser depends mainly on the laser parameters (i.e. by the wavelength, the pulse energy and duration), on the irradiation conditions (target depth in water, focal spot, repetition rate, irradiation time), and on the medium where the ablation occurs (water, solution concentration, presence of surfactants). Optimal conditions can be found in order to control the particle size, the size distribution, and the coalescence effect. A study of these characteristic factors is presented here and discussed.