I. V. Chepkasov

Comparative analysis of the thermosize effects of transition-metal clusters that are free or deposited onto graphene. Molecular dynamics simulation

Molecular dynamics is used to simulate a computer analog of the condensation and thermally activated relaxation of transition-metal (Ni, Pd, Cu) nanoclusters 561–2869 atoms in size followed by the fixation of their regular surfaces onto a graphene substrate during superposition. Specific two-dimensional configurations (ring clusters) are revealed in the transition metal/graphene contact zone as a result of thermally activated recoordination.

The Effect of Thermal Treatment on the Organization of Copper and Nickel Nanoclusters Synthesized from the Gas Phase

The condensation of 85000 Cu or Ni atoms from the high-temperature gas phase has been simulated by molecular dynamics with the tight binding potential. The efect of the subsequent thermal treatment on the shape and structure of synthesized particles was studied by simulating their gradual heating in a range of 100–1200 K. Some tendencies are revealed that are characteristic of the influence of heat treatment on the nanoparticles synthesized from the gas phase. It is concluded that short-term heating leads to significant ordering of the internal structure in 70% of agglomerated nanoparticles with the predominant formation of spherical shapes. In order to explain this result, the main mechanisms of cluster formation from the gas phase have been analyzed and it is found that the agglomeration temperature plays the main role in the formation of clusters with unified shape and structure. This opens the fundamental possibility of obtaining Cu and Ni nanoclusters with preset size, shape, and structure and, hence, predictable physical properties.

Condensation of Cu nanoparticles from the gas phase

In order to determine the most efficient modes of copper-nanoparticle synthesis, a number of experiments on evaporation with the subsequent condensation of the initial material in the argon atmosphere have been carried out. In the course of the experiments, it has been discovered that intensified evaporation significantly increases the average size of the synthesized particles. However, the investigation of the change in the dimensional characteristics of the produced clusters depending on the intensity of the buffer-gas flow faced serious difficulties. The obtained results differ significantly from the earlier experiments on the synthesis of the transition-metal oxides. In order to solve this contradiction, the computer simulation of the condensation of copper atoms from the gas phase with three different cooling rates and two final temperatures T = 373 K and Т = 77 K has been performed. It has been discovered that the cooling rate of the gas mixture and the final temperature directly influence the quantity and size of the produced particles. Thus, at a tenfold lower cooling rate, the average number of particles increases 2.7 times at a final temperature of 77 K and by 3.1 times at T = 373 K.

The general mechanisms of Cu cluster formation in the processes of condensation from the gas phase

Technological applications of metallic clusters impose very strict requirements for particle size, shape, structure and defect density. Such geometrical characteristics of nanoparticles are mainly determined by the process of their growth. This work represents the basic mechanisms of cluster formation from the gas phase that has been studied on the example of copper. The process of Cu nanoclusters synthesis has been studied by the molecular-dynamics method based on tight-binding potentials. It has been shown that depending on the size and temperature of the initial nanoclusters the process of nanoparticle formation can pass through different basic scenarios. The general conditions of different types of particles formation have been defined and clear dependence of the cluster shape from collision temperature of initial conglomerates has been shown. The simulation results demonstrate a very good agreement with the available experimental data. Thus, it has been shown that depending on the specific application of the synthesized particles or in electronics, where particles of a small size with a spherical shape are required, or in catalytic reactions, where the main factor of effectiveness is the maximum surface area with the help of temperature of the system it is possible to get the realization of a certain frequency of this or that scenario of the shape formation of nanocrystalline particles.

Study of the effect of ultrafast heating on the structure and shape of the gas phase synthesized Cu nanoparticless

Molecular dynamics method using the tight-binding potential to carry out simulation of ultrafast heating of the synthesized particles from the gas phase to a temperature T = 600 K and T = 900 K, at which the particles were kept about 10 ns. As a result of the simulation revealed that the method of ultrafast heating the particles to high temperatures virtually eliminates the possibility of a clusters of defective education, but as a result of the heat treatment, the some of investigated particles can disconnect (burst) into smaller clusters.

A study of melting of various types of Pt–Pd nanoparticles

The melting processes of various Pt–Pd nanoparticles (binary alloy, core–shell, D ≤ 4.0 nm) with different percent platinum atom content are investigated via the molecular dynamics using the embedded atom method potential in order to establish the thermal stability of simulated particle structure. In accordance with the data obtained, the most thermally stable are Pt–Pd nanoalloys with a diameter above 2.0 nm and core–shell Pd@Pt particles. As is shown, heating of binary Pt–Pd cluster alloys with the particle diameters less than 2.0 nm may cause the transition to pentagonal symmetry structures and core–shell-like complex formations.

Synthesis of Cu nanoparticles by condensation from the gas phase

ABSTRACT A series of computer experiments was conducted by the raw material evaporation and subsequent condensation to determine the most efficient regimes of copper nanoparticles synthesis. By variation of the cooling rate of the metal vapor the formation of Cu clusters were studied. The computer experiments showed the influence of different final temperatures on the shape of the resultant particles. This allowed to determine the conditions for a predominant formation of worm-like clusters of a spherical shape in the gas phase synthesis.

Synthesis of Cu nanopowders by condensation from the gas phase

In order to determine the most efficient regimes of copper nanoparticles synthesis, a series of experiments were conducted by evaporation and subsequent condensation of the raw material in an argon atmosphere. During the tests it was found that an increase of evaporation rate increases significantly the average size of the synthesized particles. However, the study of the dependence of dimensional parameters of the produced clusters on the intensity of the buffer gas flow rate has encountered significant difficulties associated because the results significantly divergent from the previously conducted experiments on the synthesis of transition metal oxides. In order to solve this contradiction the computer simulation was held of copper atoms condensation from the gas phase for the three different cooling rates and for the two final temperatures T = 373 K and T = 77 K. It was found after analysis that the rate of cooling of the gas mixture and the final temperature directly influences the number and the size of particles produced. For instance, with the 10 times of cooling rate decreases the average size of the particles obtained had increased by 2.7 times at a final temperature of 77 K and by 3.1 times at Tf = 373 K.