Nanostructures prepared via laser ablation of tin in water

Abstract

In this study, nanomaterials prepared via laser ablation of tin in water are systematically studied and compared. Tin targets were ablated by both millisecond and nanosecond pulsed lasers, resulting in core@shell product nanostructures with different chemistries and morphologies. Depending on laser fluence, the obtained core@shell nanoparticles had either Sn or SnO cores and SnO_x shells with varied surface hydration degree. Optical emission spectra of laser-generated plasmas were taken, giving additional support to nanoparticle formation mechanisms. Finally, gas sensing at room temperature is demonstrated as one of the potential applications for such nanostructures.