Estimation of the variation of the melting temperature with the size of small particles, on the basis of a surface-phonon instability model

Abstract

A model of size-dependent melting of small spherical particles (with diameter larger than 2-4 nm) is used to estimate the variation of their melting temperature, when their size is varied. This variation depends on two bulk parameters: the bulk melting temperature and the energy of formation of intrinsic defects. It is estimated for 71 elements. A comparison with available experimental data shows a good or satisfactory agreement.