Laser fragmentation of Ag2O micropowder in water

Laser fragmentation of Ag2O micropowder in water has been experimentally explored. Ag2O nanoparticles (NPs) obtained using this strategy were characterized using optical spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). High-resolution TEM images indicate that laser exposure leads to the partial reduction of Ag2O to metallic Ag. As a result, some NPs exhibit a core-shell structure with a metallic Ag core or several Ag cores with a common Ag2O shell. The main mass of the fragmented colloidal solution of Ag2O was comprised of NPs with a particle size of 40 nm. The mechanism for the partial reduction of Ag2O to metallic Ag and the possible applications of Ag2O NPs have been discussed in detail. •Laser fragmentation of Ag2O micropowder in water leads to formation of Ag2O nanoparticles (NPs).•Formation of core-shell Ag@Ag2O NPs is due to the thermal decomposition of silver oxide.•The main mass of the fragmented colloidal solution of Ag2O is comprised of NPs with a particle size of 40 nm.•The specific surface of Ag2O was increased by a factor of 105.