Dimensional effect on cohesive energy, melting temperature and Debye temperature of metallic nanoparticles

The present paper is an attempt to put forward a simple thermodynamic model for the computation and prediction of the cohesive energy, melting temperature and Debye temperature for nanosolids considering the size, shape, relaxation and packing factors, all at one place for a proper understanding of the thermal stability of nanosolids. We have selected Ag, Al, W, Co and Mo nanoparticles for the study of cohesive energy; Au, Ag, Al and Sn for melting temperature and Co, Au and Fe nanoparticles for Debye temperature in different shapes. We have found that these thermophysical properties decrease as particles are downsized and the shape loses the sphericity. The available experimental data having a close consistency with the computed results proves the validity of the present theoretical exercise. The present theoretical model for the thermophysical properties is a potentially strong candidate for the computation of the properties in the absence of experimental data.