Size dependence of the phase transition temperature of metal nanocrystals

Effect of Aerosol Size on Glass Transition Temperature

“…The size dependence of nanoparticle melting point and glass transition is important for many applications including engineered nanomaterials, − stabilization of pharmaceuticals for drug delivery, the manufacturing of plastics, − and atmospheric chemistry. − Phase transition temperature generally decreases as the particle size decreases. Depression in melting point for the first-order phase transition (e.g., crystals melting) is provided by the Gibbs–Thomson equation normalΔ T m = 6 σ s / l v s , m D normalΔ m S , where Δ T m is the melting temperature depression relative to that of the bulk material, D is the particle diameter, σ s / l is the liquid/solid interfacial tension, v s , m is the molar volume of the solid, and Δ m S is the molar entropy of the phase change at the melting temperature.…”

“…The size dependence of nanoparticle melting point and glass transition is important for many applications including engineered nanomaterials, 1 − 4 stabilization of pharmaceuticals for drug delivery, 5 the manufacturing of plastics, 6 − 9 and atmospheric chemistry. 10 − 12 Phase transition temperature generally decreases as the particle size decreases.…”