Nanocomposite ZnO/Au formation by pulsed laser irradiation

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 256; no. 21; pp. 6399 - 6402
• Main Authors: Bajaj, Geetika, Soni, R.K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.08.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electron microscopes; Exact sciences and technology; Gold; Irradiation; Laser ablation in liquid; Nanocomposite; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Physics; Resonance absorption; UV–vis absorption; Zinc oxide; ZnO/Au; Laser ablation in liquid; Nanocomposite; ZnO/Au; UV–vis absorption; Liquid state; Inorganic compounds; UV-vis absorption; Physical radiation effects; Transition element compounds; Ultraviolet spectra; Pulsed lasers; Film growth; Composite materials; Nanocomposites; Laser radiation; Zinc oxide; Laser ablation technique; Absorption spectra; Nanostructured materials
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2010.04.024

The ZnO/Au nanocomposite formation involves synthesis of Au and ZnO colloidal solutions by 532 nm pulse laser ablation of metal targets in deionized water followed by laser irradiation of the mixed colloidal solution. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) images show evolution of spherical particles into ZnO/Au nanonetworks with irradiation time. The formation mechanism of the nanonetwork can be explained on the basis of near resonance absorption of 532 nm irradiation by gold nanoparticles which can cause selective melting and fusion of gold nanoparticles to form network. The ZnO/Au nanocomposites show blue shift in the ZnO exciton absorption and red shift in the Au plasmon resonance absorption due to interfacial charge transfer.