Laser Synthesis of Catalytically Active Materials for Organic Synthesis and Sensor Technology

Introduction: The catalytic activity of metallic nanomaterials depends on their surface morphology. A widely known method is the laser synthesis of metal nanostructures by depositing on dielectric surfaces from aqueous solutions containing metal complexes. The article analyzes the factors that favor the production of conductive, catalytic, and sensory-active deposits by laser method. It is shown that the two main factors is the presence of a large number of charged defects on heterophase surfaces and the structure of metal-containing complexes in solution. This is typical for mono- and bimetallic alloys, the components of which interact with the laser beams according to the autocatalytic type. Using the example of laser deposition from solutions of Co, Ni, Fe, Zn, and Ag salts with homo- and heterophase dielectrics, the sensory and catalytic properties of the deposits are compared by impedance spectroscopy and voltammetry. It has been shown that heterophase precipitation significantly enhances the catalysis response. Background: It is known that the highest catalytic activity exhibits nanostructured and highly porous materials with a large specific surface area and materials containing surface heterogeneity in the form of charged acid-base centers. Such materials are necessary for the creation of new catalysts for organic synthesis and for the creation of new sensor materials for enzyme-free microbiosensors. Active development of new methods for the synthesis of such materials is underway. But not all of them give the expected result. Methods: Laser synthesis methods have the best prospects, including the method of laser-induced metal deposition. This is the laser synthesis of metal nanostructures by depositing dielectric surfaces from aqueous solutions containing metal complexes. Results: Аrticle analyzes the factors that favor the production of conductive, catalytic, and sensory-active deposits by laser method. It is shown that the two main factors are the presence of a large number of charged defects on heterophase surfaces and the structure of a metal-contained complex in solution. This is typical for mono- and bimetallic alloys, the components of which interact with the laser beam according to the autocatalytic type. Using the example of laser deposition from solutions of Co, Ni, Fe, Zn, and Ag salts with homo- and heterophase dielectrics, the sensory and catalytic properties of the deposits are compared by impedance spectroscopy and voltammetry. Conclusion: It has been shown that heterophase precipitation significantly enhances the catalysis response. It is shown that the laser deposition reaction has an autocatalytic mechanism in a dynamic mode. The results of autocatalysis can be used in a stationary mode to create a microbiosensor for glucose, as well as to create a technology for laser refining rare metals and hydrogen energy in a dynamic mode.