Stability of Nanocrystals in 2D and 3D Systems in Ostwald Ripening

The Chakraverty–Wagner distribution and generalized Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner distribution are compared within the LSW theory modified for the surface (2D system) and for the volume (3D system) with experimental histograms for nanocrystals (quantum dots) obtained by different techniques: electron-beam (molecular beam) epitaxy, liquid-phase epitaxy, and colloidal chemistry. Matching of the experimental histograms with theoretically plotted curves indicates the nanocrystals can grow (dissolve) in Ostwald ripening by two mechanisms simultaneously—diffusion and chemical reaction—which are controlled, respectively, by diffusion coefficient Ds (Dv) and kinetic coefficient β. The results of studies on the mechanisms whereby nanocrystals grow by Ostwald ripening may be used in processes of their synthesis.