Synthesis of a layered organo-inorganic copper nanocomposite by laser ablation in liquid media

Synthesis of a layered nanocomposite of a transition metal (copper) was reported. The synthesis was performed by laser ablation of a copper target in aqueous solutions of a surfactant (SDS). The generation of copper vapor laser (CVL) was performed at two wavelengths, 510 and 578 nm; the ratio of radiation power in the lines was, respectively, 2 : 1. The laser beam was focused on the surface of a target using an achromatic lens with the focal length f = 280 nm. The target was placed in a cell with deionized water or aqueous solutions of surfactants. The cell was placed in the vessel with the cooling water, whose temperature was maintained at 330 K. The vessel was mounted on a movable stage, allowing one to move the focal spot continuously on the target surface. An increase in the total ablation time, duration of exposure of the colloid to radiation with increased pulse repetition frequency, and the rise in colloid temperature due to the high mean intensity of radiation result in intensive generation of copper nanoparticles, oxides, hydroxides, and composites.