Laser generation and fragmentation of selenium nanoparticles in water and their testing as an additive to fertilisers

The generation of selenium nanoparticles in water and their fragmentation by a neodymium laser with a pulse repetition rate of 10 kHz and an average power of 20 W is experimentally investigated. The size distribution of selenium nanoparticles is determined using a measuring disk centrifuge. The particle morphology is analysed by transmission electron microscopy. It is found that laser ablation of a selenium target in water provides mainly submicron particles, which must be subjected to laser fragmentation in a solution to obtain selenium nanoparticles about 100 nm in size. These selenium nanoparticles are used as an additive to soil in which some crops are grown. The optimal selenium content in soil is determined.