Size effect on thermodynamic properties of free nanocrystals

Abstract

We demonstrate that the discrete character of the vibrational spectrum of a small crystal accounts for size dependence of its thermodynamic properties and melting temperature. Using a self-consistent statistical method [Phys. Rev.B 66, 054302 (2002)] we derive the Gibbs free energy of free nanocrystalline plates and calculate the thermodynamic parameters as functions of plate thickness for Cu.