CdTe nanoparticles synthesized by laser ablation

Nanoparticle generation by laser ablation of a solid target in a liquid environment is an easy, fast, and green method for a large scale production of nanomaterials with tailored properties. In this letter we report the synthesis of CdTe nanoparticles by femtosecond laser [387 nm, 180 fs, 1 kHz, pulse energy=6 mu J (fluence=1.7 J/cm(2))] ablation of the target material. Nanoparticles with diameters from similar to 2 up to similar to 25 nm were observed to be formed in the colloidal solution. Their size distribution follows the log-normal function with a statistical median diameter of approximate to 7.1 nm. Their crystal structure is the same as that of the bulk material (cubic zincblende) and they are slightly Cd-rich (Cd:Te percentage ratio similar to 1:0.9). Photoluminescence emission from the produced nanoparticles was detected in the deep red (similar to 652 nm).