Abstract

Using large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, the paper investigates the scaling of morphological and contact mechanics properties of Al and Cu nanoparticles physisorbed on suspended graphene across a characteristic linear-size range of about 1 nm to 49 nm. The study finds a crossover between small and large nanoparticles: below roughly 3–6 nm, or above a surface-area-to-volume ratio of about 1.8 nm⁻¹, the scaling of surface area, volume, interfacial separation, contact area, and height power spectra deviates from thermodynamic-limit behavior, while larger particles approach the thermodynamic limit.

Abstract

Using large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, the paper investigates the scaling of morphological and contact mechanics properties of Al and Cu nanoparticles physisorbed on suspended graphene across a characteristic linear-size range of about 1 nm to 49 nm. The study finds a crossover between small and large nanoparticles: below roughly 3–6 nm, or above a surface-area-to-volume ratio of about 1.8 nm⁻¹, the scaling of surface area, volume, interfacial separation, contact area, and height power spectra deviates from thermodynamic-limit behavior, while larger particles approach the thermodynamic limit.

Abstract

Using large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, the paper investigates the scaling of morphological and contact mechanics properties of Al and Cu nanoparticles physisorbed on suspended graphene across a characteristic linear-size range of about 1 nm to 49 nm. The study finds a crossover between small and large nanoparticles: below roughly 3–6 nm, or above a surface-area-to-volume ratio of about 1.8 nm⁻¹, the scaling of surface area, volume, interfacial separation, contact area, and height power spectra deviates from thermodynamic-limit behavior, while larger particles approach the thermodynamic limit.

Abstract

Using large-scale molecular dynamics simulations, the paper investigates the scaling of morphological and contact mechanics properties of Al and Cu nanoparticles physisorbed on suspended graphene across a characteristic linear-size range of about 1 nm to 49 nm. The study finds a crossover between small and large nanoparticles: below roughly 3–6 nm, or above a surface-area-to-volume ratio of about 1.8 nm⁻¹, the scaling of surface area, volume, interfacial separation, contact area, and height power spectra deviates from thermodynamic-limit behavior, while larger particles approach the thermodynamic limit.