Melting of Ni and Fe Nanoparticles: A Molecular Dynamics Study with Application to Carbon Nanotube Synthesis
Molecular dynamics simulations with many-body interatomic potentials are used to study melting of Ni and Fe nanoparticles with diameters that range between 2 and 12 nm. Two different embeddedatom method interatomic potentials are used for each element. The capability of each interatomic
potential to model (i) size-dependent melting in nanoparticles and (ii) the bulk melting temperature of Ni or Fe is explored. In agreement with existing theory, molecular dynamics simulations show that the melting temperature of non-supported nanoparticles decreases with decreasing nanoparticle
size, displaying a linear relationship with the inverse of nanoparticle diameter. However, molecular dynamics simulations using the interatomic potentials considered in this work provide a lower estimate than existing theory for the sensitivity of the melting temperature to nanoparticle size
(slope of linear relationship). Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that melting is surface initiated and that a finite temperature range exists in which partial melting of the nanoparticle occurs. This observation is very important in the development of advanced vapor–liquid–solid
models for catalyst-assisted single-walled carbon nanotube synthesis.
Keywords: APPLICATIONS; MOLECULAR DYNAMICS; NANOPARTICLES
Document Type: Research Article
Publication date: 01 September 2010
- Journal for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (JNN) is an international and multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal with a wide-ranging coverage, consolidating research activities in all areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology into a single and unique reference source. JNN is the first cross-disciplinary journal to publish original full research articles, rapid communications of important new scientific and technological findings, timely state-of-the-art reviews with author's photo and short biography, and current research news encompassing the fundamental and applied research in all disciplines of science, engineering and medicine.
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