Stability and plasticity of silicon nanowires: the role of wire perimeter

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics simulations to explore how the perimeter of silicon nanowires influences their stability and plasticity, revealing a universal scaling law and the importance of surface facets.

Contribution

It demonstrates that wire perimeter, not diameter, governs nanowire properties, highlighting the role of surface facets and providing a universal energy scaling law.

Findings

Wire perimeter, not diameter, is the key dimensional parameter.

Surface facets significantly influence nanowire energy.

The energy follows a universal scaling law.

Abstract

We investigated the properties of stability and plasticity of silicon nanowires using molecular dynamics simulations. We considered nanowires with <100>, <110> and <112> growth directions with several diameters and surface facet configurations. We found that the wire perimeter, and not the wire diameter, is the meaningful dimensional parameter. As a result, the surface facets play a central role on the nanowire energy, that follows a universal scaling law. Additionally, we have computed the response of a silicon nanowire to external load. The results were compared to available experimental and ab initio data.