Metal nanoparticle production by pulsed laser nanostructuring of thin metal films

The controllable nanostructuring of thin metal films by nanosecond UV laser pulses is introduced as a novel technique for the production of metal nanoparticles supported on a range of different oxide substrates, including indium tin oxide. This processing is performed at low macroscopic temperatures. The physical mechanisms underlying the nanostructuring are discussed and applications for these nanoparticle films, including as catalysts for nanotube/nanowire growth and in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy measurements, are introduced. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.