Laser ablation of gadolinium targets in liquids for nanoparticle preparation

Synthesis and preliminary characterization of gadolinium colloids prepared by pulsed laser ablation in different solutions was performed to clarify the capabilities of the laser ablation technique for preparation of stable nanoscale particles suitable for further bio(chemical) functionalization. Experiments were made by using a 10 Hz pulsed Nd:YAG laser, operating at 1064 nm. The formed colloids were examined by UV/VIS absorption spectroscopy, TEM and XRD. The developed technique was shown to be suitable for the preparation of particles of various compositions (oxides and carbides) with sizes in the nanometric range (of 5-12 nm diameters) by proper selection of both laser experimental parameters and the type of the liquid used (distilled water, ethanol and acetone). (orig.)