Strain Distribution Of Nanoparticles In Growth

In recent years, considerable effort has been put into the design and fabricationof nano-structured materials with functional properties. It is important to obtain nano-particles with a specific size and shape, taking into consideration their specific applic-ations. The growth of nanoparticles embedded in a host matrix can lead to substantialstrain. Strain can have a substantial influence on the properties of nanoparticles. In th-is thesis, Ni nanoparticles, Ni/NiO core/shell nanoparticles and Ge/GeO₂core/shellnanoparticles embedded in the amorphous Al₂O₃films were fabricated using pulsedlaser deposition method and rapid thermal annealing technique, respectively. The infl-uences of the compressive strain on the nanoparticles embedded in amorphous Al₂O₃films are investigated. The strain distributions are qualitatively simulated by finite-element calculations. With the growth of the nanoparticles, the nanoparticles incur strongnet deviatoric strain, which will have much influence on the structure and morphologyof the samples. These simulated results have a good agreement with the HRTEM exp-erimental results. Strain engineering is an effective tool for tailoring the properties ofthe samples.