Magnetic nanoparticles prepared by laser-induced pyrolysis

Summary form only given. Laser-induced processes have been used for the continuous production of different nanometric powders. Three features of this method should be emphasised: the narrow particle size distribution, the existence of no aggregation of the particles and the high surface area of the powder. In this work we describe the possibilities of the laser pyrolysis method in the preparation of maghemite (/spl gamma/-Fe/sub 2/O/sub 3/) and metal iron nanoparticles in one single step by using a cw CO/sub 2/ laser and iron pentacarbonyl vapours as precursor. By changing experimental conditions, uniform nanoparticles in the range between 3.5 and 8 nm for maghemite and between 7 and 15 nm for metal iron can be obtained.