Size and Solid Solubility in Electrodeposited Ag-Ni Nanoparticles

Abstract

Owing to a large difference in atomic sizes and a positive enthalpy of mixing, Ag and Ni form an immiscible system. In the current work, we report on the electrodeposition of Ag-Ni nanoparticles with a solid solution structure. Effect of current on the relative changes in composition and sizes of solid solution nanoparticles is illustrated. It is shown that with increase in the deposition current, size of Ag-Ni nanoparticles decreases due to an increased nucleation rate. With decrease in size the extent of miscibility of Ni in Ag increases due to increased energetic contribution from the particle curvature.