Synthesis of YSZ nanoparticles using laser ablation of solids in liquids

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nanoparticles (NPs) with tailored compositions (3, 4, 6, and 8 mol. % Y₂O₃) were successfully synthesized via laser ablation of solids in liquids (LASL), a previously unexplored compositional range for this synthesis technique, notably, our work demonstrates that both the bulk crystalline phase and composition are preserved in the synthesized NPs for all compositions. TEM, X-ray diffraction, UV–Vis and Raman spectroscopy were employed for comprehensive characterization. The results revealed a systematic reduction in particle size -from 14.9 to 10.6 nm-, crystallite dimensions -from 26.8 to 22.8 nm-, and optical bandgap –from 3.75 to 3.1 eV- with increasing yttria content. Additionally, a phase transition from tetragonal to cubic symmetry was observed at higher dopant concentrations. This work demonstrates LASL’s precision in producing compositionally controlled YSZ nanomaterials. These results establish LASL as a versatile and scalable approach for fabricating YSZ NPs with tailored structural and optical properties, offering potential applications in solid oxide fuel cells, thermal barrier coatings, and biomedical devices.