Effect of polarization forces on atom deposition on a non-spherical nanoparticle. Monte Carlo simulations

TL;DR

This study uses Monte Carlo simulations to analyze how polarization forces influence atom deposition on non-spherical nanoparticles, revealing increased deposition rates and non-uniform flux distributions with maxima at the tips.

Contribution

It introduces a Monte Carlo approach to quantify polarization effects on atom deposition on ellipsoidal nanoparticles, considering shape influence.

Findings

Polarization forces increase atom deposition rates.

Flux density is non-uniform, peaking at nanoparticle tips.

Shape affects the distribution of atom flux on the surface.

Abstract

Trajectories of a polarizable species (atoms or molecules) in the vicinity of a negatively charged nanoparticle (at a floating potential) are considered. The atoms are pulled into regions of strong electric field by polarization forces. The polarization increases the deposition rate of the atoms and molecules at the nanoparticle. The effect of non-spherical shape of the nanoparticle is investigated by the Monte Carlo method. The shape of the non-spherical nanoparticle is approximated by an ellipsoid. Total deposition rate and its flux density distribution along the nanoparticle surface are calculated. It is shown that the flux density is not uniform along the surface. It is maximal at the nanoparticle tips.