On-line Monitoring of Nanoparticle Synthesis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy in Vacuum

Jessica Picard (1) , Jean-Baptiste Sirven (2) , Olivier Sublemontier (1)

1 LEDNA - Laboratoire Edifices Nanométriques
2 SEARS - Service d'études analytiques et de réactivité des surfaces

We propose a new technique suitable for on-line monitoring of gas phase synthesis of nanoparticles. It is based on aerodynamic focusing of nanoparticles followed by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) under vacuum. The laser crosses a beam of particles at low pressure so that the plasma-produced photons to be analyzed are emitted only from the particles. Unlike previous experiments, the background from interaction with the gaseous component is totally eliminated from the collected spectra. Vacuum allows also for easier spectra collection in the UV range. Moreover, as the nanoparticle beam is highly collimated, the optical interface windows are not obstructed by particle deposition and the system can be kept running for hours.

Domains: Material chemistry

Jessica Picard, Jean-Baptiste Sirven, Olivier Sublemontier. On-line Monitoring of Nanoparticle Synthesis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy in Vacuum. MRS Advances, 2016, 2, pp.1487-1491. ⟨10.1557/adv.2016.633⟩. ⟨cea-01445007⟩