One-step synthesis of Zn/ZnO hollow nanoparticles by the laser ablation in liquid technique

Here, one-step synthesis of Zn/ZnO hollow nanoparticles along with solid nanoparticles is reported using the laser ablation in liquid (LAL) technique. Laser radiation of the 1064 nm wavelength is emitted from a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and is incident on a solid zinc target kept in a water medium. The as-obtained hollow and solid particles are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. Hollow nanoparticles are produced by the laser generated bubbles produced in water. The surface of a hollow nanoparticle is assembled from smaller solid nanoparticles. A strong laser-particle interaction is also observed when laser ablation is carried out for a longer time duration. Photoluminescence (PL) emission measurements at room temperature show that all samples exhibit PL emission in the UV-visible region. A reduction in size and an increase in concentration of the synthesized nanoparticles is observed with increasing laser ablation time.