Coalescence of nanoscale metal clusters: Molecular-dynamics study

TL;DR

This study uses molecular dynamics to investigate how nanoscale metal clusters merge in inert atmospheres, revealing temperature-dependent behaviors like melting and freezing during coalescence.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the atomic-scale mechanisms and temperature effects involved in the coalescence of nanoscale metal clusters.

Findings

Coalescence involves atomic diffusion and surface energy release.

Temperature determines whether a molten or frozen droplet forms.

Metastable molten states can occur during coalescence.

Abstract

We study the coalescence of nanoscale metal clusters in an inert-gas atmosphere using constant-energy molecular dynamics. The coalescence proceeds via atomic diffusion with the release of surface energy raising the temperature. If the temperature exceeds the melting point of the coalesced cluster, a molten droplet forms. If the temperature falls between the melting point of the larger cluster and those of the smaller clusters, a metastable molten droplet forms and freezes.