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

Mg nanoparticles were fabricated in different liquid mediums and with various laser pulse widths, showcasing the impact on UV-Visible and Fourier-transform infra-red spectra, zeta potentials, concentration, colloidal density, mean NP size, and electrical properties. The study found that Mg NPs synthesized in isopropyl alcohol provided better colloidal stability and were smaller in size compared to those synthesized in deionized water.