Fabrication of nanometer-sized anatase particles by a pulsed laser ablation method

Abstract

TiO₂ particles of <10 nm have been prepared by ablating a rutile target rod with a pulsed laser beam, which was assisted by the synchronized injection of an Ar–O₂ mixture. By controlling the wavelength of laser beam, injecting pressure ( p) and O₂ concentration in the gas mixture, ultrasmall anatase particles could be obtained. In the present work, λ=532 nm, p=5×10⁵ Pa and O₂ concentration <5% resulted in anatase particles of <6 nm.