Compression behavior of nanosized nickel and molybdenum

Abstract

X-ray diffraction studies of nanomolybdenum and nanonickel were conducted using a synchrotron source under nonhydrostatic compression up to pressures of 37 and 56GPa, respectively. No phase transitions were found up to the maximum pressure studied. Bulk modulus and its pressure derivative were calculated from the pressure-volume data using the third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state. A decrease in compressibility in both systems with decrease in particle size has been observed. Compressibility behavior in nanometals studied is similar to the effect explained by Hall [Proc. Phys. Soc. London, Sect. B 64, 747 (1951)] and Petch [J. Iron Steel Inst., London 174, 25 (1953)].