Magnesium nanoparticle synthesis from powders via LASIS - Effects of liquid medium, laser pulse width and ageing on nanoparticle size, concentration, stability and electrical properties

Mg nanoparticles (NPs) in a range of sizes (20-213 nm) were fabricated via LASIS from powders within two different liquid mediums, namely DI water and isopropyl alcohol for the first time. The effect of laser pulse width (0.60, 0.92 and 1.24 ns) and liquid medium on the UV-Visible and Fourier-transform infra-red spectra, zeta potentials, concentration (particles/ml), colloidal density, mean NP size and electrical properties were investigated. Nanoparticle ageing experiments were conducted whereby the NP size was analysed soon after fabrication and then again after 9-months of shelf life at room temperature. The effect of the colloid storage temperature after fabrication (-17, 4 and 20 degrees C) on the NP concentration was investigated. DI water-synthesised Mg NPs tend to be larger (89 +/- 4 nm) than IPA-synthesised Mg NPs (52 +/- 6 nm). IPA-synthesised NPs provided better colloidal stability (zeta potential = +/- 158.7 +/- 13.5 mV) than DI water (zeta potential = +/- 16.6 +/- 3.1 mV). Mg NPs reduced the resistivity of glass from 102 to 92 Omega/square which gave them a potential application in electronics. Mg NPs have versatile applications including surface coating, printed electronics, battery technology and antibacterial agents.

Automated summary

In this study, Mg nanoparticles of various sizes were fabricated using liquid assisted laser ablation in liquid solution (LASIS) for the first time. The effects of laser pulse width and liquid medium on the properties of the nanoparticles were investigated. The results showed that Mg nanoparticles synthesized in different liquid mediums have different sizes and colloidal stability, and they have potential applications in electronics.