Laser Intensity Effect on Polyyne Synthesis in Liquid Hydrocarbons

Laser synthesis of polyyne molecules C2nH2 (n > 2) in liquid hydrocarbons is a complex process in which intense pulsed radiation decomposes the initial carbon-containing substance (the hydrocarbon solvent itself or the solid carbon particles in a suspension). Notwithstanding the fact that the mechanism of pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLAL) is widely accepted, the effect of the laser parameters on laser-driven polyyne formation is still not understood in detail. Here, we report a study of the polyyne yield as a function of the laser field intensity and exposure dose. Several carbon-containing liquids, including pure n-hexane, pure ethanol, and graphite powder suspended in ethanol, were treated with tightly focused picosecond IR radiation (wavelength of 1064 nm, pulse duration of 10 ps). The synthesis rate was characterized by UV-vis optical absorption spectroscopy. The yields of the polyynes were found to vary in exact accordance with the value of the absorbed laser energy, following specific nonlinear or linear laws. The influence of the laser intensity on the partial concentration of polyynes in the solution was analyzed.