Laser ablation and fragmentation of Boron in liquids

TL;DR

This study demonstrates a novel method for producing Boron nanoparticles via laser ablation and fragmentation in liquids, revealing unique nanoparticle compositions and potential applications.

Contribution

First-time synthesis of Boron nanoparticles using laser ablation in liquids combined with laser fragmentation, with detailed characterization of resulting particles.

Findings

Nanoparticles are approximately 30 nm in size.

Nanoparticles consist mainly of Boron and carbon, some with carbon shells.

Allotropic composition differs from the original Boron target.

Abstract

Nanoparticles of elemental Boron are generated for the first time by laser ablation of a sintered Boron target in liquid isopropanol and subsequent laser fragmentation of the suspension. For this purpose an ytterbium doped fiber laser was used at wavelength of 1060-1070 nm, pulse repetition rate of 20 kHz, and pulse duration of 200 ns. The size of Boron nanoparticles after ablation and fragmentation of the suspension is around 30 nm. Nanoparticles are made mostly of Boron and carbon, some particles have carbon shell. Allotropic composition of nanoparticles differs from that of the initial Boron target. Possible applications are discussed.