Influence of laser parameters in generating the NiTi nanoparticles with a rotating target using underwater solid state Nd: YAG laser ablation

The great effort that the scientific community has put in the last decade in the study of nanoscience and nanotechnology has been leading the research toward the development of new methodologies of nanostructures synthesis. Among them, Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid, PLAL, is gaining an increasing interest thanks to several promising advantages, which include: environmental sustainability, easy experimental set-up (which does not require extreme conditions of the ambient of synthesis), long-lasting stability of the nanoparticles, which are produced completely free of undesired contaminants or dangerous synthesis reactants. In this work, a drop wise flow of deionized water on the periphery of NiTi rotating target was tested as a procedure for the significant production of NiTi nanoparticles. This is a novel technique to improve the ablation efficiency of nanoparticles than the existing techniques of laser ablation. The influence of varying external parameters like laser wavelengths and laser fluences on the size distribution of nanoparticle was investigated. Second harmonic and third harmonics of Nd: YAG nanosecond laser with three different laser fluences of 30 J/cm₂, 40 J/cm₂ and 50 J/cm₂ was used to ablate the nitinol (Ni-55%, Ti-45%) target. The average particle size and redistribution was characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and the crystalline formation of NiTi nanoparticles were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, where it confirms the alloy formation of NiTi nanoparticles. (paper)