Synthesis of colloidal zinc oxide nanoparticles by pulsed laser ablation in aqueous media

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a promising material for optoelectronic devices and visible–ultraviolet light-emitting diodes. Colloidal ZnO nanocrystals are synthesized by pulsed laser ablation of zinc target in distilled water with passing pure oxygen gas simultaneously. Sodium dodecyl sulfate, C12H25SO4Na, is used as surfactant material to prevent agglomeration and terminates growth of nanoparticles. The UV–visible plasmon absorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), XRD and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy are used for its characterization. Possible mechanism for the synthesis of ZnO and zinc oxyhydroxide nanoparticles are discussed.