TY - JOUR
T1 - Molecular dynamics investigation of gold nanoparticle coalescence under realistic gas-phase synthesis conditions
AU - Grammatikopoulos, P.
AU - Toulkeridou, E.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2024/6
Y1 - 2024/6
N2 - Dependence of nanoparticle (NP) coalescence on various physical parameters (e.g., temperature, number of NPs, NP size, orientation, crystallinity, shape, or composition, etc.) is a very active field of investigation. However, most computational studies on NP coalescence to date are performed in vacuum, with only a handful of studies taking gas pressure into account and even fewer doing a systematic analysis. This is due to two reasons: first, many computational studies complement inert-gas condensation experiments, which typically happen at high vacuum. Second, a simulation set-up in vacuum is simpler and computationally less costly. Here we utilised classical molecular dynamics for a rigorous investigation of the effect (or lack of) of gas pressure, as well as of other parameters (namely temperature, angular momenta, and inert-gas species), on the early stages of coalescence between two metallic NPs. Our approach is relevant for both inert-gas condensation in high vacuum and aerosol synthesis in standard atmospheric conditions. Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed temperature as the key factor determining the degree of coalescence; relative angular momenta direction was revealed as yet another important contributor, whereas the effect of pressure was deemed insignificant for early coalescence stages. To shed light onto the sintering process we elaborate on interesting atomistic mechanisms. We aspire that our study may indicate potential strategies for both gas-phase synthesis methods.
AB - Dependence of nanoparticle (NP) coalescence on various physical parameters (e.g., temperature, number of NPs, NP size, orientation, crystallinity, shape, or composition, etc.) is a very active field of investigation. However, most computational studies on NP coalescence to date are performed in vacuum, with only a handful of studies taking gas pressure into account and even fewer doing a systematic analysis. This is due to two reasons: first, many computational studies complement inert-gas condensation experiments, which typically happen at high vacuum. Second, a simulation set-up in vacuum is simpler and computationally less costly. Here we utilised classical molecular dynamics for a rigorous investigation of the effect (or lack of) of gas pressure, as well as of other parameters (namely temperature, angular momenta, and inert-gas species), on the early stages of coalescence between two metallic NPs. Our approach is relevant for both inert-gas condensation in high vacuum and aerosol synthesis in standard atmospheric conditions. Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed temperature as the key factor determining the degree of coalescence; relative angular momenta direction was revealed as yet another important contributor, whereas the effect of pressure was deemed insignificant for early coalescence stages. To shed light onto the sintering process we elaborate on interesting atomistic mechanisms. We aspire that our study may indicate potential strategies for both gas-phase synthesis methods.
KW - Flame aerosol synthesis
KW - Gas-phase synthesis
KW - Inert-gas condensation
KW - Molecular dynamics
KW - Nanoparticle coalescence
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85189079368&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2024.106356
DO - 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2024.106356
M3 - 文章
AN - SCOPUS:85189079368
SN - 0021-8502
VL - 179
JO - Journal of Aerosol Science
JF - Journal of Aerosol Science
M1 - 106356
ER -