Abstract

The formation of metal nano-particles in a homogeneous vapour phase and in a polymer matrix is investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. The different types of particle formation and growth are investigated specially with respect to the formation of atomic structure and particle morphology. We find that the structure formation proceeds via liquid-like and icosahedral structures to a close-packed structure as the particle size increases. Decoupled from the growth process the cluster solidi. cation exhibits a similar structure formation scenario. In the case of the gas phase aggregation several coalescence processes have been analysed. Metal deposition on a polymer substrate shows a significantly different course. Due to the matrix several growth and structure formation processes are suppressed.