Sintering dynamics and thermal stability of novel configurations of Ag clusters Original Research Article

Monte Carlo simulations with second-moment approximation of tight-binding potential were applied to study the sintering dynamics and thermal stability for novel configurations of Ag clusters. Simulations under elevated temperatures utilizing various configurations indicated that sintering processes were strongly affected by temperature and initial design configurations. Ag clusters re-aligned themselves at the onset of sintering, forming clear necks of varying stabilities and different matter diffusion routes between clusters due to differences in initial design configurations. Notably, different Ag cluster design configurations displayed variable melting temperatures. The methodical simulation of design configurations can elucidate strategies to maintain desirable nanocluster structure during sintering processes.