Fragmentation of the gold nanoparticles using femtosecond Ti:Sapphire laser and their structural evolution

• Published in: Optics and laser technology 2013-07, Vol.49, p.156-160
• Main Authors: Akman, E., Aktas, O.C., Genc Oztoprak, B., Gunes, M., Kacar, E., Gundogdu, O., Demir, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Laser ablation; Metal nanoparticles; Surface plasmon resonance
• ISSN: 0030-3992; 1879-2545
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2013.01.003

This paper reports the production of gold nanoparticles (NPs) with controlled morphology in an aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) by Ti:Sapphire laser. When nanostructures were exposed to an additional laser irradiation/exposure at a particular wavelength corresponding to resonant excitation of surface plasmons or to an interband transition, a considerable size reduction of NPs from 78nm to 15nm has been achieved. This can simply be defined as size refining of NPs by a two-step laser ablation. The relationship between supercontinuum (SC) emission and absorption spectrum of gold NPs has been explored. Additionally the transformation of gold NPs into fractal-like structures has been examined. At longer exposure periods, it is observed that there is a tendency of assembling of NPs into one-dimensional (1d) nanostructures. ► Two step laser assisted gold nanoparticle production in an SDS solution using a femtosecond laser. ► Gold nanoparticles with controlled size and morphology in liquid. ► Formation of micron size wire-like structures made up of SDS with gold nanoparticles in them. ► A broad spectral range supercontinuum emission during the second step with interesting plasmonic effects.