Synthesis of CeO2/TiO2 nanoparticles by laser ablation of Ti target in cerium (III) nitrate hexahydrate (Ce(NO3)3·6H2O) aqueous solution

A new synthesis process, laser ablation in an aqueous solution of target material, was applied to synthesize nanostructured CeO2/TiO2 catalyst particles. Reactivity within the laser plume (plasma) can be used to synthesize CeO2 from an aqueous solution, 2 M cerium (III) nitrate hexahydrate (Ce(NO3)3·6H2O) aqueous solution, and to fabricate TiO2 from Ti target. CeO2/TiO2 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by the laser ablation of Ti target in 2 M cerium (III) nitrate hexahydrate (Ce(NO3)3·6H2O) aqueous solution. Laser ablation of Ti in a liquid environment and chemical reactions of the solution within a plasma plume are discussed.

Graphical abstractSchematic diagram of laser ablation in aqueous solution process: (a) step 1: processes A and B, (b) step 2: processes A, A* and B, and (c) process 3: synthesized particles.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlightsLaser ablation in aqueous solution process: process A: laser plasma + target (Ti target ablation) → process A*: laser plasma induced plasma + ablated material (oxidation of ablated Ti) → process B: laser plasma + aqueous solution (synthesis of CeO2).