Laser generation and processing of nanomaterials in liquid environment

Laser processing of new materials is a rapidly expanding field in both fundamental science and material technology requiring multidisciplinary approach and knowledge. In this respect, laser generation of nanoparticles in liquid environments has been recognized as one of the important developments that can produce metallic, ceramic, composites and organic nano-particles with high purity, environmental friendly conditions and narrow size distributions. This versatile physical preparation method also provides size and stability of nanostructures under a rigorous control of the laser parameters and the environmental features. This work intends to give the state of the art for the production of nanomaterials through the ablation of solid targets in liquids, to correlate the phenomena with similar plasma processes like the ignition of arc discharges and give perspectives in the field of particles joining at the nanoscale. Noble metal and carbon nanostructures will be considered through the presentation of a number of case studies.