Optimized and novel synthesis of AgI nanoparticles for efficient cloud seeding processes
Cloud seeding is an increasingly important approach to mitigating water scarcity, especially in drought-prone regions, by artificially enhancing precipitation. Silver iodide (AgI) is widely employed among various seeding agents due to its structural similarity to ice. However, recent advancements su...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Scientific African |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227625003138 |
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| author | S. Shafiei M. Aligholami Patrice Umenne M. Maaza |
| author_facet | S. Shafiei M. Aligholami Patrice Umenne M. Maaza |
| author_sort | S. Shafiei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cloud seeding is an increasingly important approach to mitigating water scarcity, especially in drought-prone regions, by artificially enhancing precipitation. Silver iodide (AgI) is widely employed among various seeding agents due to its structural similarity to ice. However, recent advancements suggest that using AgI at the nanoscale can significantly improve ice nucleation efficiency because of its higher surface-to-volume ratio and enhanced dispersion in the atmosphere. In this study, we introduce a novel and environmentally friendly synthesis route for producing AgI nanoparticles (NPs) using pulsed laser ablation in iodine-deionized water (I-DW). Unlike conventional chemical methods, our technique requires no surfactants, stabilizers, or additional reagents, resulting in a clean process with no chemical waste,crucial for environmental applications. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first report of AgI NPs being synthesized via PLAL in I-DW and applied to cloud seeding research. The synthesized nanoparticles were thoroughly characterized to examine their morphology, composition, and optical properties. Based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, the average size of synthesized AgI nanoparticles was approximately 23 nm. Furthermore, laboratory-scale ice growth experiments were conducted to evaluate the ice nucleation potential of the AgI NPs. The ice nucleation rate was determined to be j(T) = 867.31 cm−2s−1 and Log (j(T)) = 2.94 at 269.65 K. Our findings highlight the potential of laser-synthesized AgI nanomaterials as efficient and sustainable agents for weather modification, and the experimental results showed a 7 % increase in droplet size when loaded with nanosized AgI nanoparticles compared to pure water. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f7dcd00a84234de7b89cc089321d23b8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2468-2276 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific African |
| spelling | doaj-art-f7dcd00a84234de7b89cc089321d23b82025-08-20T03:50:49ZengElsevierScientific African2468-22762025-09-0129e0284410.1016/j.sciaf.2025.e02844Optimized and novel synthesis of AgI nanoparticles for efficient cloud seeding processesS. Shafiei0M. Aligholami1Patrice Umenne2M. Maaza3UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (U2ACN2), College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Muckleneuk ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, South Africa; Corresponding author.UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (U2ACN2), College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Muckleneuk ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, South AfricaDepartment of Electrical and Smart Systems Engineering, College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET), University of South Africa, cnr. Christian de wet and pioneer avenue, Florida, Johannesburg 1709, South AfricaUNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (U2ACN2), College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa (UNISA), Muckleneuk ridge, P.O. Box 392, Pretoria, South AfricaCloud seeding is an increasingly important approach to mitigating water scarcity, especially in drought-prone regions, by artificially enhancing precipitation. Silver iodide (AgI) is widely employed among various seeding agents due to its structural similarity to ice. However, recent advancements suggest that using AgI at the nanoscale can significantly improve ice nucleation efficiency because of its higher surface-to-volume ratio and enhanced dispersion in the atmosphere. In this study, we introduce a novel and environmentally friendly synthesis route for producing AgI nanoparticles (NPs) using pulsed laser ablation in iodine-deionized water (I-DW). Unlike conventional chemical methods, our technique requires no surfactants, stabilizers, or additional reagents, resulting in a clean process with no chemical waste,crucial for environmental applications. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first report of AgI NPs being synthesized via PLAL in I-DW and applied to cloud seeding research. The synthesized nanoparticles were thoroughly characterized to examine their morphology, composition, and optical properties. Based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, the average size of synthesized AgI nanoparticles was approximately 23 nm. Furthermore, laboratory-scale ice growth experiments were conducted to evaluate the ice nucleation potential of the AgI NPs. The ice nucleation rate was determined to be j(T) = 867.31 cm−2s−1 and Log (j(T)) = 2.94 at 269.65 K. Our findings highlight the potential of laser-synthesized AgI nanomaterials as efficient and sustainable agents for weather modification, and the experimental results showed a 7 % increase in droplet size when loaded with nanosized AgI nanoparticles compared to pure water.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227625003138Cloud seedingIce nucleationPulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL)Laser liquid solid interaction (LLSI)Silver Iodide (AgI) |
| spellingShingle | S. Shafiei M. Aligholami Patrice Umenne M. Maaza Optimized and novel synthesis of AgI nanoparticles for efficient cloud seeding processes Scientific African Cloud seeding Ice nucleation Pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) Laser liquid solid interaction (LLSI) Silver Iodide (AgI) |
| title | Optimized and novel synthesis of AgI nanoparticles for efficient cloud seeding processes |
| title_full | Optimized and novel synthesis of AgI nanoparticles for efficient cloud seeding processes |
| title_fullStr | Optimized and novel synthesis of AgI nanoparticles for efficient cloud seeding processes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimized and novel synthesis of AgI nanoparticles for efficient cloud seeding processes |
| title_short | Optimized and novel synthesis of AgI nanoparticles for efficient cloud seeding processes |
| title_sort | optimized and novel synthesis of agi nanoparticles for efficient cloud seeding processes |
| topic | Cloud seeding Ice nucleation Pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL) Laser liquid solid interaction (LLSI) Silver Iodide (AgI) |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468227625003138 |
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