Modeling of Ostwald Ripening of Metal Clusters Attached to Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

We present a model of Ostwald ripening of nanosized clusters and apply it to study the time evolution of metal particles attached to carbon nanotubes. The Ostwald ripening of metal clusters attached to carbon nanotubes differs from that of free metal clusters. While free clusters experience a rapid broadening in the size dispersion, this may be delayed by the nanotubes, which may therefore limit the ripening. The diameter and chirality of the carbon nanotubes were also seen to affect the Ostwald ripening of the catalyst particles. For a collection of carbon nanotubes that contains different diameters and chiralities, the clusters attached to carbon nanotubes with large diameters and strong carbon–metal adhesion are the most likely to survive the Ostwald ripening.