Insights into nanoparticle shape transformation by energetic ions
Abstract Shape modification of embedded nanoparticles can be achieved by means of swift heavy ion irradiation. During irradiation, the particles elongate and align with the direction of the ion beam, presumably due to nanometer-scale phase transitions induced by individual ion impacts. However, the...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-33152-9 |
| _version_ | 1797840999409516544 |
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| author | Aleksi A. Leino Ville E. Jantunen Pablo Mota-Santiago Patrick Kluth Flyura Djurabekova |
| author_facet | Aleksi A. Leino Ville E. Jantunen Pablo Mota-Santiago Patrick Kluth Flyura Djurabekova |
| author_sort | Aleksi A. Leino |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Shape modification of embedded nanoparticles can be achieved by means of swift heavy ion irradiation. During irradiation, the particles elongate and align with the direction of the ion beam, presumably due to nanometer-scale phase transitions induced by individual ion impacts. However, the details of this transformation are not fully understood. The shape of metal nanoparticles embedded in dielectric matrices defines the non-linear optical properties of the composite material. Therefore, understanding the transformation process better is beneficial for producing materials with the desired optical properties. We study the elongation mechanism of gold nanoparticles using atomistic simulations. Here we focus on long-timescale processes and adhesion between the nanoparticle and the matrix. Without the necessity of ad-hoc assumptions used earlier, our simulations show that, due to adhesion with the oxide, the nanoparticles can grow in aspect ratio while in the molten state even after silicon dioxide solidifies. Moreover, they demonstrate the active role of the matrix: Only explicit simulations of ion impacts around the embedded nanoparticle provide the mechanism for continuous elongation up to experimental values of aspect ratio. Experimental transmission electron microscopy micrographs of nanoparticles after high-fluence irradiation support the simulations. The elongated nanoparticles in experiments and their interface structures with silica, as characterized by the micrographs, are consistent with the simulations. These findings bring ion beam technology forward as a precise tool for shaping embedded nanostructures for various optical applications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T16:23:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4c043f674bc746d2b5680d7c993ba30d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T16:23:48Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-4c043f674bc746d2b5680d7c993ba30d2023-04-23T11:16:50ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-04-0113111310.1038/s41598-023-33152-9Insights into nanoparticle shape transformation by energetic ionsAleksi A. Leino0Ville E. Jantunen1Pablo Mota-Santiago2Patrick Kluth3Flyura Djurabekova4Helsinki Institute of Physics and Department of Physics, University of HelsinkiHelsinki Institute of Physics and Department of Physics, University of HelsinkiMAX IV Laboratory, Lund UniversityDepartment of Materials Physics, Research School of Physics, Australian National UniversityHelsinki Institute of Physics and Department of Physics, University of HelsinkiAbstract Shape modification of embedded nanoparticles can be achieved by means of swift heavy ion irradiation. During irradiation, the particles elongate and align with the direction of the ion beam, presumably due to nanometer-scale phase transitions induced by individual ion impacts. However, the details of this transformation are not fully understood. The shape of metal nanoparticles embedded in dielectric matrices defines the non-linear optical properties of the composite material. Therefore, understanding the transformation process better is beneficial for producing materials with the desired optical properties. We study the elongation mechanism of gold nanoparticles using atomistic simulations. Here we focus on long-timescale processes and adhesion between the nanoparticle and the matrix. Without the necessity of ad-hoc assumptions used earlier, our simulations show that, due to adhesion with the oxide, the nanoparticles can grow in aspect ratio while in the molten state even after silicon dioxide solidifies. Moreover, they demonstrate the active role of the matrix: Only explicit simulations of ion impacts around the embedded nanoparticle provide the mechanism for continuous elongation up to experimental values of aspect ratio. Experimental transmission electron microscopy micrographs of nanoparticles after high-fluence irradiation support the simulations. The elongated nanoparticles in experiments and their interface structures with silica, as characterized by the micrographs, are consistent with the simulations. These findings bring ion beam technology forward as a precise tool for shaping embedded nanostructures for various optical applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-33152-9 |
| spellingShingle | Aleksi A. Leino Ville E. Jantunen Pablo Mota-Santiago Patrick Kluth Flyura Djurabekova Insights into nanoparticle shape transformation by energetic ions Scientific Reports |
| title | Insights into nanoparticle shape transformation by energetic ions |
| title_full | Insights into nanoparticle shape transformation by energetic ions |
| title_fullStr | Insights into nanoparticle shape transformation by energetic ions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Insights into nanoparticle shape transformation by energetic ions |
| title_short | Insights into nanoparticle shape transformation by energetic ions |
| title_sort | insights into nanoparticle shape transformation by energetic ions |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-33152-9 |
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