Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026
09:56
High Resolution Physical Characterization of Single Metallic Nanoparticles
Published on: June 28, 2019
6.2K
Polymorphism of Metallic Sodium under Nanoconfinement
A V Uskov1, D Yu Nefedov1, E V Charnaya1
1Physics Department, St. Petersburg State University , St. Petersburg 198504, Russia.
Nano Letters
|December 30, 2015
Summary
Sodium nanoparticles in porous glass show a new phase transition below 240 K. This transformation temperature is significantly higher than in bulk sodium, indicating confinement effects on metallic sodium behavior.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Metallic sodium exhibits unique properties when confined to nanoscale dimensions.
- Understanding phase transitions in confined systems is crucial for developing advanced materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the behavior of sodium nanoparticles confined within porous glass.
- To identify and characterize any phase transitions occurring in these confined nanoparticles.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 23Na Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
- Conducted studies on sodium nanoparticles with a 3.5 nm mean pore size.
Main Results:
- Observed the emergence of a second NMR line component below 240 K.
- This indicates a distinct phase transition in confined sodium nanoparticles.
- The transition temperature is notably higher than the martensite transformation in bulk sodium.
Conclusions:
- Confinement in porous glass induces a novel phase modification in metallic sodium.
- The observed phase transition is strongly influenced by the nanoscale environment.
Related Concept Videos
02:37Metallic Solids
21.3K
Metallic solids such as crystals of copper, aluminum, and iron are formed by metal atoms. The structure of metallic crystals is often described as a uniform distribution of atomic nuclei within a “sea” of delocalized electrons. The atoms within such a metallic solid are held together by a unique force known as metallic bonding that gives rise to many useful and varied bulk properties.
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
21.3K
03:26Electron Configuration of Multielectron Atoms
67.9K
The alkali metal sodium (atomic number 11) has one more electron than the neon atom. This electron must go into the lowest-energy subshell available, the 3s orbital, giving a 1s22s22p63s1 configuration. The electrons occupying the outermost shell orbital(s) (highest value of n) are called valence electrons, and those occupying the inner shell orbitals are called core electrons. Since the core electron shells correspond to noble gas electron configurations, we can abbreviate electron...
67.9K
02:54Molecular and Ionic Solids
20.8K
Crystalline solids are divided into four types: molecular, ionic, metallic, and covalent network based on the type of constituent units and their interparticle interactions.
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
Molecular Solids
Molecular crystalline solids, such as ice, sucrose (table sugar), and iodine, are solids that are composed of neutral molecules as their constituent units. These molecules are held together by weak intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, or hydrogen bonds, which...
20.8K
02:42Valence Bond Theory
11.6K
Coordination compounds and complexes exhibit different colors, geometries, and magnetic behavior, depending on the metal atom/ion and ligands from which they are composed. In an attempt to explain the bonding and structure of coordination complexes, Linus Pauling proposed the valence bond theory, or VBT, using the concepts of hybridization and the overlapping of the atomic orbitals. According to VBT, the central metal atom or ion (Lewis acid) hybridizes to provide empty orbitals of suitable...
11.6K
01:17Theory of Metallic Conduction
1.9K
The conduction of free electrons inside a conductor is best described by quantum mechanics. However, a classical model makes predictions close to the results of quantum mechanics. It is called the theory of metallic conduction.
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
1.9K
02:32Bonding in Metals
55.9K
Metallic bonds are formed between two metal atoms. A simplified model to describe metallic bonding has been developed by Paul Drüde called the “Electron Sea Model”.
55.9K