Synthesis and characterization of Ag/Cu2O nanostructured employing pulse laser ablationin liquid

The properties of nanomaterials have drawn significant interest in the field of modern science and technology due to their unique physical and chemical characteristics, which offer a wide range of potential applications. Liquid Laser Ablation (LLA) method plays a significant role in the synthesis and applications of nanomaterials. The nanomaterials obtained through this method provide new possibilities for various applications in different industrial and scientific fields. The synthesis of nanomaterials has led to important advancements in areas such as nanotechnology, catalysis, biomedical, electronics, and magnetic materials. In this thesis study, Ag/Cu2O nanomaterial was successfully prepared and characterized using pulsed laser ablation of a pure copper foil (PLAL) method in a liquid medium. The effects of various laser parameters on the properties of Cu2O nanoparticles were carefully investigated and explained in terms of optical, morphological, structural, and chemical characteristics. The influence of different laser fluences (6.3-16.56 J/cm2) on the physical properties of the prepared Cu2O nanoparticle was examined. X-ray diffraction results revealed a tighter cubic formation with the main diffraction plane (110) and an optimum structure was found at a laser fluence of 11.46 J/cm2. SEM analysis showed that the produced samples had thin and smooth surfaces. The resulting Cu2O nanoparticles were observed to have semi-spherical morphologies with an average particle size ranging from 32 to 62 nm depending on the immersion times. It was determined that the energy bandgap of the produced Cu2O nanoparticles increased to 2.36 eV. Cu2O thin films were initially prepared using a laser fluence of 11.46 J/cm2 and a laser wavelength of 1064 nm. Subsequently, the optimized Cu2O thin films were decorated with silver (Ag) to induce a plasmonic effect. The prepared Cu2O films were decorated by immersing them in aqueous AgNO3 for varying durations. It was determined that the energy bandgap measured in the optical spectra decreased from 1.9 eV to 1.66 eV and shifted towards the red region.