LaserNano

Project summary

The main idea in the “LaserNano”- project is to fabricate various nanoparticles and -materials by laser ablation either in vacuum or in liquids. Possible application areas include sensors, coatings, electrodes, biomedical, fluorescent labeling etc. To support networking and collaboration with industry a steering group is set up. The group consists of members from TUT, industrial partners and the council of Tampere. The project is funded by European Regional Development Fund via the Council of Tampere Region.

We are constantly looking for new partners. Please contact us if you would like to hear more.

Propose your idea!

Project duration: 2010-2013.
Contact person: Prof. Tapio Niemi.
 

Laser Ablation in Liquids (PLAL)

Idea

• Fabrication of metal, oxide and semiconducting nanoparticles
• Our seminal fabrication technology is laser ablation in liquids

Advantages

• Chemical precursors are not required => pure solutions
• Nearly unlimited variety of materials and solvents

Goals

• Technology development for versatile applications
• Strengthening collaboration in research and applications
• Applications areas: fluoresecence labeling, sensors, coatings,
• biomedical

Material immersed in liquid is ablated by short laser pulses. The liquid constricts the expansion of the hot ablated material, which leads to nucleation of nanoparticles. In properly selected solvents the nanoparticles are electrically charged and stable without additional chemicals. This allows preparation of ultra-pure nanoparticles without unwanted chemical residues that are a common problem for chemically synthesized nanoparticles. Lack of unwanted chemicals also gives greater freedom in selection of molecules for treatment of the particles. The treatmend can be done traditionally after preparation or in many cases even during fabrication making PLAL a convenient single-step process.

Applications of PLAL

Metal nanoparticles

SERS

Gold nanoparticles produced by PLAL offer an easy way to fabricate templates for Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) measurements. The Plasmon resonance of the gold nanoparticles also observed in the transmission spectrum (figure) can enhance the Raman signal from molecules by a factor of 1010 making it possible to detect even single molecules. The Plasmon resonance wavelength of the prepared gold nanoparticles suggests a very small particle size.

Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) in vacuum

Idea

• Fabrication of metal, oxide and semiconducting nanoparticles
• Fabrication by laser ablation in vacuum or background gas

Goals

• Technology development for versatile applications
• Strengthening collaboration in research and applications
• Applications areas: sensors, coatings, electrodes, large surface area

Interested? Propose your idea!

The basic concept of PLD is presented in the figure above. Target material is evaporated with short laser pulses in vacuum. The laser beam is scanned on the target surface to guarantee homogenous film quality.

The method allows deposition of smooth films, nanoparticles and nanofoams. The nanofoams consist of small nanoparticles that are organized web-like structures with controllable porosity. Films deposited in this manner have extremely high surface area. 

Publications

Here is the list of the publications of this project. See also the full publication list of ORC.
 

Contacts

Please contact Prof. Tapio Niemi for more information.