Synthesis of Magnetic Nanoparticles by Ultrashort Pulsed Laser Ablation of Iron in Different Liquids.

Magnetic nanoparticles were generated by ultrashort pulsed laser ablation of an iron target in water, methanol, ethanol, acetone and toluene. The relationship between ablation rate, liquid properties and the physical and chemical properties of the nanoparticles was studied. Composition, morphology and magnetic properties were investigated by TEM, XPS and vibrating-sample (VSM) and SQUID magnetometry.