Nanoparticle formation by laser-assisted photolysis of ferrocene.

Laser-assisted formation of iron-containing nanoparticles has been performe d by photolytic dissociation of ferrocene vapour by a pulsed ArF excimer la ser at 193 nm. The process was carried out at atmospheric pressure, either in an inert atmosphere of argon or in a reactive gas mixture of argon and o xygen. Differential mobility analysers, DMA's, were used for the determinat ion of the particle sizes. By changing laser parameters such as beam size, pulse energy and repetition rate, particle sizes ranging from 3 to 100 nm, were generated. Morphology and size of the nanoparticles were studied via t ransmission electron microscopy, TEM, and structural information was obtain ed from electron diffraction. Chemical composition was determined through X -ray photoelectron spectroscopy, XPS, and energy dispersive X-ray spectrosc opy, EDX. (C) 1999 Acta Metallurgica Inc.