Synthesis of TiO₂ Nanoparticles Via Laser Ablation at Titanium-Water Interface

Abstract

Pulsed laser induced breakdown at target-water interface is used to synthesize TiO₂ nanoparticles. Ablation at defocused and tightly focused condition resulted in TiO₂ nanoparticles in anatase and rutile phase respectively. In addition, insufficiently oxidized Ti₂O₃ nanoparticles are also observed due to transient quenching during laser induced breakdown process. The TiO₂ nanoparticle phase and sizes are diagnosed using TEM. The optical properties are characterized using Raman and UV-Vis spectra. The estimated optical band gap from the absorption spectra of TiO₂ anatase phase is 3.23 eV and of TiO₂ rutile phase is 3.0 eV.

Keywords:

• Laser ablation in liquids
• TiO₂ nanoparticles
• focussing effect