Sputtering onto liquids: how does the liquid viscosity affect the formation of nanoparticles and metal films?

Abstract

This paper reports on the effect of the solvent viscosity on the formation of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) during the sputtering onto liquid (SoL) process.

Hierarchical Zr-doped Fe2O3 photoanodes decorated with in situ Au nanoparticles via a surfactant-assisted one-step hydrothermal approach for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting

“…25 This high viscosity results in a slow diffusion rate, which leads to nanorod structure formation as well as lm growth. 32,33 The incorporation of Au did not result in a signicant change in lm thickness (Fig. 1b(iii)).…”

Time-resolved in situ nanoparticle size evolution during magnetron sputtering onto liquids

“…26 Apart from that, due to the high viscosity of the liquid, a thin lm can be created on the substrate. 21,24,27,28 Metal atoms do not have sufficient time to diffuse through it, favoring lateral growth. The higher the liquid viscosity, the slower the nanoparticle growth 29 and the transport of the NPs, which may end up with bigger NPs.…”

Time-resolved in-situ nanoparticle size evolution during magnetron sputtering onto liquids

“…For example, Au sputtering onto castor oil and polymerized rapeseed oil (chemically different vegetable oils with similar viscosity values) produces a well-dispersed nanofluid and a transparent film under identical sputtering conditions, respectively. 22 In the case of ionic liquids (ILs), the coalescence continues until metal NPs are stabilized by the adsorption of ILs' constituent ions acting as capping agents. 21 Modified collision/coalescence kinetics of the NPs during the thermal annealing results in larger particles both in spherical and anisotropic shapes.…”

“…27 Apart from that, due to the high viscosity of the liquid, a thin film can be created on the substrate. 22,25,28,29 Metal atoms do not have sufficient time to diffuse through it, favoring lateral growth. The higher the liquid viscosity, the slower the nanoparticle growth 30 and the transport of the NPs, which may end up with bigger NPs.…”

“…The higher the liquid viscosity, the slower the nanoparticle growth 30 and the transport of the NPs, which may end up with bigger NPs. 17,22,29 This can be beneficial for the coating of ILs with a highly reflective metal surface to serve as a lunar liquid mirror telescope. 31 The metal influx is reported to have a linear relation with respect to the increased sputtering power at a fixed gas pressure.…”