Nonequilibrium kinetic study of sintering of dispersed nanoparticles

Kinetic Monte Carlo approach is developed to study aspects of sintering of dispersed nanoparticles of bimodal size distribution. We explore mechanisms of neck development when sintering is initiated at elevated temperatures for nanosize crystalline surfaces of particles of different size. Specifically, the role of smaller particles fitting between larger particles, on the sintering of the latter is considered. Formation of stable necks bridging particles at the nanoscale was found to be governed by layering or clustering mechanisms at the facing surfaces, with clustering leading to a much faster formation of the bridging structure. Temperature, particle sizes and local arrangement, as well as other geometrical factors were found to have a profound effect on sintering mediated by a smaller particle placed in a void between larger particles.