Formation of silver nanoparticles and carbon quantum dots by laser photolysis of silver nitrate in polyvinyl alcohol

The photolysis of silver nitrate in a polyvinyl alcohol solution under the action of 405-nm continuous laser radiation has been investigated. It has been shown that the laser radiation generates silver nanoparticles, which exhibit a plasmon resonance, and luminescent carbon quantum dots on the substrate surface. The mean size of silver nanoparticles is 10–50 nm. At a high irradiation dose, they form 3D fractal clusters.