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Published on: November 28, 2016
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Local structure and bonding in tin nanoparticles probed by temperature-dependent EXAFS
Hiroyuki Ikemoto1, Takafumi Miyanaga2, Shuki Tokuchi1
1Department of Physics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-8555, Japan.
Summary
Tin nanoparticles (n-Sn) exhibit an amorphous structure, not a perfect diamond structure like alpha-tin (α-Sn). Their covalent bonds weaken and elongate with increasing temperature, unlike α-Sn.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Solid State Physics
Background:
- Tin nanoparticles (n-Sn) are predicted to exhibit phase transitions between semiconductor (α-Sn) and metallic (β-Sn) structures based on particle size.
- These transitions are analogous to temperature-induced phase changes observed near room temperature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the local structure and structural parameters of tin nanoparticles (n-Sn) with a diameter of 24.7 Å.
- To determine if n-Sn adopts a diamond structure similar to α-Sn or exhibits an amorphous character.
Main Methods:
- Utilized X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements.
- Analyzed nearest-neighbor atomic distance, coordination number, and mean-squared relative displacement.
Main Results:
- Nearest-neighbor distance suggests a resemblance to the diamond-like structure of α-Sn.
- Observed decreased coordination number and increased displacement, indicating an amorphous character.
- Covalent bonds in n-Sn elongate with temperature, unlike α-Sn, and exhibit weaker bonding strength.
Conclusions:
- Tin nanoparticles (n-Sn) do not possess a perfect diamond structure but rather an amorphous structure.
- The structural and bonding properties of n-Sn differ significantly from bulk α-Sn, particularly concerning temperature dependence and bond strength.
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