  Nanocomposite thin films formed by gold nanoparticles embedded in a nickel
oxide matrix have been synthesized by a new variation of the pulsed laser
deposition technique. Two actively synchronized laser sources, a KrF excimer
laser at 248 nm and an Nd:YAG laser at 355 nm, were used for the simultaneous
ablation of nickel and gold targets in oxygen ambient. The structural,
morphological, and electrical properties of the obtained nanocomposite films
were investigated in relation to the fluence of the laser irradiating the gold
target. The nanocomposite thin films were tested as electrochemical hydrogen
sensors. It was found that the addition of the gold nanoparticles increased the
sensor sensitivity significantly.
