Influence of laser ablated Ag core on the thermo-optic and photocatalytic characteristics of CdS nanocolloids

Abstract As a facile alternative to synthesize core-shell nanoparticles with high repeatability, we conducted laser ablation of the core material (Ag) in a colloidal solution of shell nanoparticles (CdS). We report the thermodynamic and photocatalytic properties of the as prepared colloidal nanoparticles (NPs). Optical absorption of the Ag-CdS core-shell nanostructures is found to be enhanced as compared to pure CdS which is attributed to the plasmon effect on metallic core. The heat transfer dynamics in these nanostructures were studied using thermal lens (TL) technique. The thermal diffusivity measurements reveal size dependent diffusivity variations. The photocatalytic property of Ag-CdS nanostructures reveals an enhanced efficiency as compared to CdS due to the electron transfer from CdS to Ag. Laser ablative method for the synthesis of core-shell structures can be applied to synthesize metal doped semiconductor nanoparticles which find potent applications in solar cells, photocatalysis, biosensors and imaging purposes.