Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Structural fluctuations in nanoparticles

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Nanoparticle Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Standard methods of thermodynamics are used to investigate fluctuation conditions for individual nanoparticles. This analysis leads to a theorem on fluctuations of nanoparticles in the vicinity of the phase transformation temperature stating that fluctuations are possible only between an equilibrium and a non-equilibrium phase. The basic conditions used to describe fluctuations are well suited to calculate the limits for fluctuations as function of temperature and particle size.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ajayan PM, Marks LD (1988) Quasimelting of small particles. Phys Rev Lett 60:585–587

    Article  PubMed  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bondarchuk O, Dougherty DB, Degawa M, Williams ED, Constantin M, Dasgupta C, Das Sarma S, (2005) Correlation time for step structural fluctuations. Phys Rev B 71:045426-1–10

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bustamante C, Liphardt J, Ritort F (2005) The nonequilibrium thermodynamics of small systems. Phys Today 58:43–48

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Castro T, Reifenberger R, Choi E, Andres RP (1990) Size-dependent melting temperature of individual nanometer sized metallic clusters. Phys Rev B 42:8548–8556

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang J, Johnson E (2005) Surface and bulk melting of small metal clusters. Phil Mag 85:3617–3627

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics (2006–2007) Taylor & Francis, Boca Raton

  • Dick K, Dhanasekaran T, Zhang Z, Meisel DJ (2002) Size dependent melting of silica-encapsulated gold nanoparticles. Am Chem Soc 124:2312–2317

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fujimoto M (1997) The physics of structural phase transitions. Springer, New York

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Hanszen KJ (1960) Theoretische Untersuchungen über den Schmelzpunkt kleiner Kügelchen. Z Phys 157:523–553

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hill TL (2002) Thermodynamics of small systems. Dover Publications Inc., Dover

    Google Scholar 

  • Iijima S, Ichihashi T (1986) Structural instability of ultrafine particles of metals. Phys Rev Lett 56:616–619

    Article  PubMed  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kubaschewski O, Alcock CB (1993) Metallurgical thermochemistry. Pergamon Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Meschede D (2004) Gehrtsen Physik, Springer, New York et al, p 227

  • Miedema AR, Boom R (1978a) Surface tension and electron density of pure liquid metals. Z Metallkunde 69:183–190

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miedema AR, (1978b) Surface energy of solid metals. Z Metallkunde 69:287–292

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nanda KK, Maisels A, Kruis FE, Fissan H, Stappert S (2003) Higher surface energy of free nanoparticles. Phys Rev Lett 91:106102-1–106102-4

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ohshima Y, Takayanagi K (1993) Solid liquid phase transition of tin particles observed by UHV high resolution transmission electron microscopy: pseudo crystalline phase. Z Phys D 27:287–294

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  • Vollath D, Szabó DV, Willis JO (1996) Magnetic properties of nanocrystalline Cr2O3 synthesized in a microwave plasma. Mater Lett 29:271–279

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vollath D, Szabò DV, Taylor RD, Willis JO (1997) Synthesis and magnetic properties of nanostructured maghemite. J Mater Res 12:2175–2182

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. NanoConsulting, Primelweg 3, 76297, Stutensee, Germany

    Dieter Vollath

  2. Montanuniversität Leoben, Institute of Mechanics, Franz-Josef-Strasse 18, 8700, Leoben, Austria

    F. D. Fischer

Authors
  1. Dieter Vollath
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. D. Fischer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dieter Vollath.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vollath, D., Fischer, F.D. Structural fluctuations in nanoparticles. J Nanopart Res 11, 433–439 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-007-9326-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-007-9326-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation