Compressive properties of hollow BN nanoparticles: theoretical modeling and testing using a high-resolution transmission electron microscope. Issue 17 (19th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Firestein, Konstantin L.; Kvashnin, Dmitry G.; Kovalskii, Andrey M.; Popov, Zakhar I.; Sorokin, Pavel B.; Golberg, Dmitri V.; Shtansky, Dmitry V.
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 10:Issue 17(2018)
• Page Start: 8099
• Page End: 8105
• Publication Date: 2018-04-19
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c8nr00857d
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : BN nanoparticles display high mechanical stiffness and elastic recovery enabling them to withstand large cyclic deformations and accumulate high strain. Abstract : Due to their excellent mechanical properties, nanoparticles have great potential as reinforcing phases in composite materials, friction modifiers in liquid lubricants, catalysts and drug-delivery agents. In the present study, the mechanical analysis of individual spherical hollow BN nanoparticles (BNNPs) using a combination of in situ compression tests inside a high-resolution transmission electron microscope (TEM) and theoretical modelling was conducted. It was found that BNNPs display high mechanical stiffness and a large value of elastic recovery. This enables the hollow BNNPs to exhibit considerably large cyclic deformation (up to 30% of the sphere's original external diameter) and to accumulate plastic deformation of approximately 30% of the total compression strain. Theoretical simulations allowed for elucidation of BNNPs' structural changes under compression at the atomic level and explained the origin of their high stiffness and large critical deformation values.