A new technique for cost-effective nanoparticle production

Nanoparticles are materials from 1 to 100 nm with unique physical and chemical properties due to their surface area and size. Widely used in a broad spectrum of applications and fields of research, they can be synthetically produced through several methods. One of these methods is to generate the nanoparticles with pulsed-laser ablation in liquids. Although this method has the potential to be very useful, in order to commercialize the technology, it is necessary to scale up the production of nanoparticles.

Now, LESGO researchers at the University of Wuppertal present a technique that entails a promising solution to enhance the efficiency and economic viability of the production of colloidal nanoparticles. In the article, published in the journal Advanced Photonics Research, they describe the multi-beam pulsed laser ablation in liquid (MB-PLAL) technique, where they combine static diffractive optical elements to the pulsed laser ablation system, achieving parallel processing. This new technique significantly boosts nanoparticle productivity and enables optimal pulse energy. Researchers conducted comparative studies and underscored the technique’s adaptability to diverse materials.

Overall, the MB-PLAL technique improves productivity while offering a lower initial capital investment, making it a cost-effective choice for both research and industrial applications. Its scalability suggests potential integration into current high-productivity setups to further enhance production rates, marking a significant advancement in colloidal nanoparticle synthesis.