The objective of this Phd is to develop an experimental device to perform in situ and real time elemental analysis of nanoparticles during their synthesis (by laser pyrolysis or flame spray pyrolysis). Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) will be used to identify the different elements present and to determine their stoichiometry.

Preliminary experiments conducted at LEDNA have shown the feasibility of such a project and in particular the acquisition of a LIBS spectrum of a single nanoparticle. Nevertheless, the experimental device must be developed and improved in order to obtain a better signal to noise ratio, to decrease the detection limit, to take into account the different effects on the spectrum (effect of nanoparticle size, complex composition or structure), to automatically identify and quantify the elements present.

In parallel, other information can be sought (via other optical techniques) such as the density of nanoparticles, the size or shape distribution.