Issue 14, 2017

Thermally induced breakup of metallic nanowires: experiment and theory

Abstract

We present time-resolved transmission electron microscopy studies of the degradation of Au, Ag, Cu and Ni nanowires deposited on a heated support. The wires are grown under fully inert conditions in superfluid helium droplets and deposited onto amorphous carbon. The inherent stability of these pristine metal nanowires with diameters below 10 nm is investigated in the absence of any stabilizers, templates or solvents. The phenomenon of Rayleigh-breakup, a consequence of diffusion processes along the wire surfaces, is analysed in situ via scans over time and support temperature. Our experimental efforts are combined with simulations based on a novel model featuring a cellular automaton to emulate surface diffusion. Based on this model, correlations between the material parameters and actual breakup behaviour are studied.

Graphical abstract: Thermally induced breakup of metallic nanowires: experiment and theory

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
21 Jan 2017
Accepted
10 Mar 2017
First published
10 Mar 2017
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017,19, 9402-9408

Thermally induced breakup of metallic nanowires: experiment and theory

M. Schnedlitz, M. Lasserus, D. Knez, A. W. Hauser, F. Hofer and W. E. Ernst, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2017, 19, 9402 DOI: 10.1039/C7CP00463J

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