Laser-induced disaggregation of TiO₂ nanofillers for uniform nanocomposites

Exploiting the intrinsic photosensitivity of TiO₂ nanoparticles, we demonstrated how ultraviolet (UV) pulsed laser irradiation of acrylate polymer nanocomposite solutions can separate the initial clusters of these colloidal semiconductor nanorods into clearly distinct units. From the irradiated solutions, optically clear nanocomposite films are obtained which exhibit enhanced optical properties with respect to the nanocomposites obtained without previous UV treatment.