Fabrication of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles by Pulsed-Laser Ablation

Abstract

AbstractNanoparticles of iron oxide were prepared by pulsed laser ablation on carbon coated mica substrates. An ArF excimer laser was used to irradiate a Fe2O3 target in atmospheres of Ar at room temperature. The effects of ambient pressure on size and morphology of nanoparticles were investigated using transmission electron microscopy. The morphology of the deposited nanoparticles was strongly dependent on the ablation pressure. The formations of nanoparticles and their aggregates were observed at pressures higher than 46.7 Pa and 267 Pa of Ar, respectively. The size of the primary nanoparticles ranged from 2 – 9 nm and their size distribution agreed with a log-normal distribution function. The aggregate size increased with ambient pressure and the primary particle size was independent of ambient pressure.