Observations On The Melting Of Au Nanoparticle Deposits And Alloying With Ni Via In Situ Synchrotron Radiation X-Ray Diffraction

Through monitoring the evolution of the x-ray diffraction peaks, the transient low temperature melting of Au nanoparticles and following alloying with the substrate were demonstrated via in situ synchrotron radiation x-ray diffraction. Upon heating, the broad diffraction peak of nanosized Au particles with the average diameter of 2.5 nm was suppressed at about 200 degrees C and soon became sharp due to melting and subsequent solidification. If the test was conducted on a Ni film, an unstable intermetallic compound Au3Ni appeared with crystallized Au, which resulted from the reaction between the supercooled liquid of Au and Ni. However, it decomposed at 275 degrees C and above. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3242373]