No Arabic abstract
We model within the kinetic Monte Carlo method the initiation of neck formation and then later evolution of the resulting bridging regions for configurations involving small particles initially positioned fitted between large particles for situations typical for sintering of FCC nanocrystals, e.g., noble-metal nanoparticles. Neck initiation mechanisms by layering or clustering are identified. The stability of the resulting bridging configurations depends on several parameters, notably, on the relative small to large particle size ratio, and we explain recent experimental findings on improved sintering achieved for certain bimodal size distributions.
Kinetic Monte Carlo approach is developed to study aspects of sintering of dispersed nanoparticles of bimodal size distributions. We explore mechanisms of neck development when sintering is initiated at elevated temperatures for nanosize crystalline surfaces of particles of different sizes. Specifically, the role of smaller particles fitting between larger particles, on the sintering of the latter is considered. Formation of stable necks bridging particles at the nanoscale was found to be governed by layering or clustering mechanisms at the facing surfaces, with clustering leading to a much faster formation of the bridging structure. Temperature, particle sizes and local arrangement, as well as other geometrical factors were found to have a profound effect on sintering mediated by a smaller particle placed in a void between larger particles.
We report a kinetic Monte Carlo modeling study of nanocrystal layer sintering. Features that are of interest for the dynamics of the layer as a whole, especially the morphology of the evolving structure, are considered. It is found that the kinetics of sintering is not entirely a local process, with the layer morphology affected by the kinetics in a larger than few-particle neighborhood. Consideration of a single layer of particles makes the numerics manageable and allows visualization of the results, as well as numerical simulations of several realizations for statistical averaging of properties of interest. We identify optimal regimes for sintering, considering several particle size distributions and temperature control protocols.
We model shell formation of core-shell noble metal nanoparticles. A recently developed kinetic Monte Carlo approach is utilized to reproduce growth morphologies realized in recent experiments on core-shell nanoparticle synthesis, which reported smooth epitaxially grown shells. Specifically, we identify growth regimes that yield such smooth shells, but also those that lead to the formation of shells made of small clusters. The developed modeling approach allows us to qualitatively study the effects of temperature and supply the shell-metal atoms on the resulting shell morphology, when grown on a pre-synthesized nanocrystal core.
Nanoparticles usually exhibit pronounced anisotropic properties, and a close insight into the atomic-scale deformation mechanisms is of great interest. In present study, atomic simulations are conducted to analyze the compression of bcc nanoparticles, and orientation-dependent features are addressed. It is revealed that surface morphology under indenter predominantly governs the initial elastic response. The loading curve follows the flat punch contact model in [110] compression, while it obeys the Hertzian contact model in [111] and [001] compressions. In plastic deformation regime, full dislocation gliding is dominated in [110] compression, while deformation twinning is prominent in [111] compression, and these two mechanisms coexist in [001] compression. Such deformation mechanisms are distinct from those in bulk crystals under nanoindentation and nanopillars under compression, and the major differences are also illuminated. Our results provide an atomic perspective on the mechanical behaviors of bcc nanoparticles and are helpful for the design of nanoparticle-based components and systems.
This work addresses the two great challenges of the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process: the sintering of complex shapes and the simultaneous production of multiple parts. A new controllable interface method is employed to concurrently consolidate two nickel gear shapes by SPS. A graphite deformable sub-mold is specifically designed for the mutual densification of the both complex parts in a unique 40 mm powder deformation space. An energy efficient SPS configuration is developed to allow the sintering of a large-scale powder assembly under electric current lower than 900 A. The stability of the developed process is studied by electro-thermal-mechanical (ETM) simulation. The ETM simulation reveals that homogeneous densification conditions can be attained by inserting an alumina powder at the sample/punches interfaces enabling the energy efficient heating and the thermal confinement of the nickel powder. Finally, the feasibility of the fabrication of the two near net shape gears with a very homogeneous microstructure is demonstrated.