Formation and size control of sliver nanoparticles by laser ablation in aqueous solution

Silver nanoparticles were produced by laser ablation of a metal silver plat e in an aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate, C12H25OSO3Na. The absor ption spectrum of the silver nanoparticles is found to be essentially the s ame as that of silver nanoparticles chemically prepared in a solution. The size distribution of the nanoparticles measured by an electron microscope s hifts to a smaller size with increase in the concentration of sodium dodecy l sulfate and with a decrease in the irradiation laser power. These finding s are explained by a scheme that the nanoparticles are formed via rapid for mation of an embryonic silver particle and a consecutive slow particle grow th in competition with termination of the growth due to SDS coating on the particle.