Design of crystal materials requires predicting the ability of bulk materials to form single crystals, challenging current theories of material design. By introducing a concept of condensing potential (CP), it is shown via vast simulations of crystal growth for fcc (Ni, Cu, Al, Ar) and hcp (Mg), that materials with larger CP can grow into perfect single crystal more easily. Due to the simplicity of the calculation of CP, this method might prove a convenient way to evaluate the ability of materials to form single crystal.
The surface structure of crystal grains determines the catalytic efficiency of metal particles. In this paper, we apply our recently established condensation potential model to predict the surface structure of Pt and Ni nanoparticles, which are used in fuel cells, showing the model works well but the Wulff construction fails. Based on first-principle calculations via this model, the surfaces of various shapes of Pt/Ni nanoparticles are mainly composed of fcc ( 111) faces (about 80%/60% of the total area). The results are consistent with existing experimental observations. Because of the simplicity of calculations, the model may be widely used to predict the surface structure of common nanoparticles.
A new hierarchical hollow α-Fe2O3 nanostructure that has a nanosphere morphology of approximately 250 nm in diameter integrated with ensembles of 15 nm diameter nanotubes is designed and engineered. As an anode material for Li-ion batteries, the HHFN exhibits significantly improved Li storage capability, good cycling stability, as well as high-rate performance.
The surface structure of platinum nanoparticle in a fuel cell is the key factor to determine the catalytic efficiency. In this paper, we apply our recently established condensation potential model [2009 Acta. Phys. Sin. 58 3293; 2009 J. Chem. Phys. 130 164711] to predict the surface structure of platinum nanoparticle, and the reliability of the model is verified by molecular dynamics simulations. By first-principles calculations based on this model, we show that for various shapes of platinum particles the surfaces are mainly composed of fcc (111) facets (about 80%), and the ratio of (100) faces is about 10%. The results are consistent with existing experimental observations. Owing to the simplicity of the calculations, this condensation potential model is widely used to predict the surface structure of common nanoparticles.
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