https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2008-00429-9
Size effect on thermodynamic properties of free nanocrystals
Institute for Metal Physics, 36 Vernadsky str., Kiev, 03142, Ukraine
Corresponding author: a vilu@imp.kiev.ua
Received:
30
September
2008
Published online:
29
November
2008
We demonstrate that the discrete character of the vibrational spectrum of a small crystal accounts for size dependence of its thermodynamic properties and melting temperature. Using a self-consistent statistical method [Phys. Rev. B 66, 054302 (2002)] we derive the Gibbs free energy of free nanocrystalline plates and calculate the thermodynamic parameters as functions of plate thickness for Cu.
PACS: 65.80.+n – Thermal properties of small particles, nanocrystals, and nanotubes / 64.70.D- – Solid-liquid transition
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 2008