The effect of laser pulse energy on ZnO nanoparticles formation by liquid phase pulsed laser ablation

Zinc Oxide nanoparticles were prepared using pulsed laser ablation process from a pure zinc metal placed inside a liquid environment. The latter is composed of acetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) of 10−3 molarity and distilled water. A Ti:Sapphire laser of 800 nm wavelength, 1 kHz pulse repetition rate, 130 fs pulse duration is used at three values of pulse energies of 0.05 mJ, 1.11 mJ and 1.15 mJ. The evaluation of the optical properties for the obtained suspension was applied through ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy test (UV/VIS). The result showed peak wavelengths at 210 nm, 211 nm and 213 nm for the three used pulse energies 0.05 mJ, 1.11 mJ and 1.15 mJ respectively. This indicates a blue shift, which means smaller sizes of prepared nanoparticles, correlated with the decrease in laser energy. The blue shift in the absorption edge refers to the quantum confinement property for the produced nanoparticles. In addition, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis was utilized to confirm zinc oxide nanoparticles formation represented by the absorption values at 435–445 cm−1. The shape and morphology of ZnO nanoparticles were characterized with scanning electron microscope (SEM).