Size-dependent structural transition from multiple-twinned particles to epitaxial fcc nanocrystals and nanocrystal decay

K. Sato, W. J. Huang, F. Bohra, S. Sivaramakrishnan, A. P. Tedjasaputra, J. M. Zuo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The size dependence of structural transition from multiple-twinned particles (MTP) to epitaxial face centered cubic nanocrystals was investigated for Ag nanoparticles formed on Si(001) surfaces by in situ reflection high-energy electron diffraction and ex situ transmission electron microscopy. The transition from MTP to nanocrystals was promoted by postdeposition annealing. Clear particle size dependence is found in the epitaxial formation temperatures (TE), which is about 2/3 of the calculated, size-dependent, melting temperature (TM) using the value of surface energy γS =1.2 J m2 for larger particles (>2 nm). Once nanocrystals are formed, they decay and disappear in a narrow temperature range between 795 and 850 K. No evidence of nanocrystal melting was detected from the reflection high-energy electron diffraction observations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number144113
JournalPhysical Review B - Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
Volume76
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 26 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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