Structure and optical properties of nanoparticles obtained by pulsed laser ablation of copper in gases

Nano-powders of different composition and structure were obtained by nanosecond pulsed laser ablation (Nd:YAG laser, 7 ns, 1064 nm, 20 Hz, 200 mJ) of a metallic copper target in a simple flow reactor at atmospheric pressure. The crystal structure, nanoparticles’ shape, and surface morphology were shown to depend on the gaseous media used (Ar, N₂, CO₂). CuO nanopowders with a specific surface area 50 m²/g were synthesized by pulsed laser ablation in carbon dioxide and after annealing in air. The optical properties of the obtained powders were also investigated.