Physics – Condensed Matter – Materials Science
Scientific paper
1997-03-14
Physics
Condensed Matter
Materials Science
12 pages in postscript form, 14 figures. See also http://www.centrcn.umontreal.ca/~lewis/ . Submitted to Phys. Rev. B
Scientific paper
10.1103/PhysRevB.56.2248
We present a detailed molecular-dynamics study of the melting, freezing, and coalescence of gold nanoclusters within the framework of the embedded-atom method. Concerning melting, we find the process to first affect the surface (``premelting''), then to proceed inwards. The curve for the melting temperature vs cluster size is found to agree reasonably well with predictions of phenomenological models based on macroscopic concepts, in spite of the fact that the clusters exhibit polymorphism and structural transitions. Upon quenching, we observe a large hysterisis of the transition temperature, consistent with recent experiments on lead. In contrast, we find macroscopic sintering theories to be totally unable to describe the coalescing behaviour of two small clusters. We attribute this failure to the fact that the nanocrystals are facetted, while the sintering theories are formulated for macroscopically smooth crystallites. The time for coalescence from our calculations is predicted to be much longer than expected from the macroscopic theory. This has important consequences for the morphology of cluster-assembled materials.
Barrat Jean Louis
Jensen Pablo
Lewis Laurent J.
No associations
LandOfFree
Melting, freezing, and coalescence of gold nanoclusters does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Melting, freezing, and coalescence of gold nanoclusters, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Melting, freezing, and coalescence of gold nanoclusters will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-369966