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Title: Energetics of the formation of Cu-Ag core–shell nanoparticles

Journal Article · · Modelling and Simulation in Materials Science and Engineering
 [1]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Our work presents molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations aimed at developing an understanding of the formation of core–shell Cu-Ag nanoparticles. The effects of surface and interfacial energies were considered and used to form a phenomenological model that calculates the energy gained upon the formation of a core–shell structure from two previously distinct, non-interacting nanoparticles. In most cases, the core–shell structure was found to be energetically favored. Specifically, the difference in energy as a function of the radii of the individual Cu and Ag particles was examined, with the assumption that a core–shell structure forms. In general, it was found that the energetic gain from forming such a structure increased with increasing size of the initial Ag particle. This result was interpreted as a result of the reduction in surface energy. Moreover, for two separate particles, both Cu and Ag contribute to the surface energy; however, for a core–shell structure, the only contribution to the surface energy is from the Ag shell and the Cu contribution is changed to a Cu–Ag interfacial energy, which is always smaller.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1143121
Report Number(s):
SAND-2014-2975J; 517109
Journal Information:
Modelling and Simulation in Materials Science and Engineering, Vol. 22, Issue 7; ISSN 0965-0393
Publisher:
IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 20 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (5)

Computational Modeling of Nanoparticle Coalescence journal March 2019
Kinetic trapping through coalescence and the formation of patterned Ag–Cu nanoparticles journal January 2016
Multitribe evolutionary search for stable Cu–Pd–Ag nanoparticles using neural network models journal January 2019
Core–shell vs. multi-shell formation in nanoalloy evolution from disordered configurations journal January 2019
Role of core-shell energetics on anti-Mackay, chiral stacking in AgCu nanoalloys and thermally induced transition to chiral stacking journal February 2020