Physics – Condensed Matter – Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Scientific paper
2011-06-19
Physics
Condensed Matter
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
7 pages, 3 figures
Scientific paper
Zn nanoclusters are deposited by Low energy cluster beam deposition technique. The morphology, composition and structure of deposited nanoclusters are analyzed, after exposing to the ambient, by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. It is observed that Zn nanoclusters are converted to Zn- ZnO (core-shell), Zn-void-ZnO or hollow ZnO type nanoclusters, depending upon their size, by reacting with oxygen present in the ambient. Nanoclusters bigger than ~ 15 nm are of Zn-ZnO (core-shell) type. Among them, nanoclusters between ~ 15 to 25 nm are of irregular or distorted geometrical shaped, and above ~ 25 nm are of geometrical shaped (viz. triangular, hexagonal, rectangular and rhombohedral). It is reasoned, the external shape of nanocluster is related to its internal atomic arrangements. ZnO is in epitaxial relationship with the underlying Zn surface. Nanoclusters between ~ 15 to 5 nm are observed to be Zn-void-ZnO type, and smaller than ~ 5 nm are perfect ZnO hollow sphere type, i.e. ZnO hollow nanoclusters. The observed oxidation behaviour of nanoclusters are compared with theory of Cabrera-Mott (CM) on low temperature oxidation of metal. It is argued that CM theory is based on simple assumptions and can not explain oxidation behaviour of nanometals satisfactorily. However, in agreement with CM theory, the oxide layer after reaching certain critical thickness able to protect the nanometal from further degradation.
Mahapatra A. K.
Som Tapobrata
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