Laser photolysis of silver colloid prepared by citric acid reduction method.

By irradiating a silver colloid, prepared via the citric reduction method, using the second harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser, lambda = 532 nm, with laser fluence more than about 0.2 J/cm(2), we prepared a colloid consisting of small spherical silver nanoparticles with d(p) = 8 nm. The process of particle formation can be divided into three steps. First, large particles that existed in the initial colloid evaporate fully, producing a large amount of silver atoms. Next, primary particles with d(p) = 2-4 nm are formed in mini plumes. Finally, these primary particles grow up to 8 nm, as silver atoms diffuse to them through water.