Copper nanoparticles fabricated by laser ablation in polysiloxane

Cu nanoparticles were fabricated by ablating a Cu plate in polysiloxane oil with laser pulses of 1.4 MW/mm2 (wavelength: 532 nm, pulse width: 5 ns). Polysiloxane oil was useful to avoid oxidation and aggregation of Cu particles. Particle size of 2–20 nm was confirmed by TEM observation of fabricated samples. Solid materials containing Cu nanoparticles were also fabricated by curing polysiloxane at room temperature.