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Credit: by Jayaraman Theerthagiri, K. Karuppasamy, Seung Jun Lee, Shwetharani R, Hyun-Seok Kim, S.K. Khadheer Pasha, Muthupandian Ashokkumar, and Myong Yong Choi
The pulsed laser technique has emerged as an advanced synthetic technique to deliver metal nanoparticles and their derivatives in a short time interval with high purity. Traditional synthetic methodologies such as hydrothermal and solvothermal are often energy- and time-consuming processes, mostly requiring expensive precursor materials, involving ligand exchange reactions, and generating or using toxic by-products/surfactants or stabilizing agents. The pulsed laser-assisted synthetic route offers many degrees of parameter control (i.e., pulsed laser wavelength, power, reaction time duration, laser pulse repetition rate, and solvent) and possesses several advantages over conventional chemical and physical synthetic routes; (i) no usage of surfactants or stabilizing agents, (ii) no by-products, (iii) environmentally friendly, and (iv) rapid synthetic techniques. Recent research in Professor Myong Yong Choi’s group involves the laser synthesis of functional nano- and biomaterials that can be used in energy production and environmental remediation.
In a new paper published in Light: Science & Applications, a team of scientists, led by Professor Myong Yong Choi from Core-Facility Center for Photochemistry & Nanomaterials, Department of Chemistry (BK 21 FOUR), Research Institute of Natural Sciences, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, South Korea, and co-workers have presented an overview of the fundamental understanding and importance of the pulsed laser process, namely various roles and mechanisms involved in the production of various types of nanomaterials. We mainly covered the advancement of photo- and electrocatalytic nanomaterials via pulsed laser-assisted technologies with detailed mechanistic insights, structural optimizations, and effective catalytic performances.
Given this, our research groups have also focused on developing synthetic techniques for the production of non-toxic, high purity with improved functionality of the nanomaterials, as well as the new technologies for energy and environmental applications. For example, a new integrated technique combining pulsed laser and sonochemical process has produced various highly surface-active metal alloys, semiconductor oxides, and composite materials. In contrast to the usual approaches, the integrated process possessed many advantages, including high yields, faster reaction rates, and highly active surface sites.
Journal
Light Science & Applications