Role of thermodynamics in the shape transformation of embedded metal nanoparticles induced by swift heavy-ion irradiation

M. C. Ridgway, R. Giulian, D. J. Sprouster, P. Kluth, L. L. Araujo, D. J. Llewellyn, A. P. Byrne, F. Kremer, P. F.P. Fichtner, G. Rizza, H. Amekura, M. Toulemonde

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    103 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Swift heavy-ion irradiation of elemental metal nanoparticles (NPs) embedded in amorphous SiO2 induces a spherical to rodlike shape transformation with the direction of NP elongation aligned to that of the incident ion. Large, once-spherical NPs become progressively more rodlike while small NPs below a critical diameter do not elongate but dissolve in the matrix. We examine this shape transformation for ten metals under a common irradiation condition to achieve mechanistic insight into the transformation process. Subtle differences are apparent including the saturation of the elongated NP width at a minimum sustainable, metal-specific value. Elongated NPs of lesser width are unstable and subject to vaporization. Furthermore, we demonstrate the elongation process is governed by the formation of a molten ion-track in amorphous SiO2 such that upon saturation the elongated NP width never exceeds the molten ion-track diameter.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number095505
    JournalPhysical Review Letters
    Volume106
    Issue number9
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2 Mar 2011

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