Effect of temperature on the characteristics of ZnO nanoparticles produced by laser ablation in water

Effect of the water temperature on the characteristics of zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs) produced by laser ablation process is investigated experimentally. The fundamental wavelength of a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser was employed to irradiate a high-purity zinc plate in distilled water at different temperatures of 0, 20, 40 and 60 ∘ C. The produced NPs were diagnosed by UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction method, transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Results show that with increase in the water temperature from 20 to 60 ∘ C, size of NPs decreases while their bandgap energy increases. Maximum ablation rate occurs at the highest temperature. Crystalinity also increases with increase in the water temperature. The abnormal behaviour of water at 0–4 ∘ C affects the NPs characteristics.