Method assisted by a laser and high-intensity electric fields for the synthesis and collection of nanoparticles and the generation of coatings

A method for the synthesis of nanoparticles, and for the collection or controlled deposition thereof on surfaces, wherein said method comprises:

• a) positioning a solid or liquid precursor material, optionally said positioning taking place in a system connected to equipment for controlling the position of said solid or liquid precursor material which allows relative movement with respect to a laser beam,
• b) focusing the laser beam by means of a focusing system suitable for generating a focused laser beam on the precursor material,
• c) vaporizing the surface of precursor material irradiated by the focused laser beam, said focused laser beam being stationary or provided with relative movement with respect to the precursor material,
• d) establishing a potential difference in a range between 5 and 50 kV between an electrode and a counter electrode, the electrode being located at a separation distance of between 1 and 15 mm from the region of the vaporized material,
• e) entraining the vaporized material by means of an ionization of the vaporized material and of the atmosphere in which the method is carried out, thereby transporting the vaporized material from the electrode to the counter electrode,
• f) nucleating and condensing the vaporized material during the transport thereof from the electrode to the counter electrode, giving rise to the formation of nanoparticles,
• g) optionally, placing a mask in the flow path of the nanoparticles if a nanoparticle coating with a specific geometric shape is to be produced on the counter electrode or on a substrate material which is placed in the flow path of the nanoparticles towards the counter electrode, and
• h) collecting or depositing the nanoparticles to produce a coating on the surface of the counter electrode or of the substrate material.