EXMONAN · Experimental investigation and modelling of nanoscale solid state reactions with high technological impact

Competition between phases occurring in solid-state reactions in metallic nanosystems is of critical importance in advanced materials technologies. The present Project focuses on materials already being used or are being considered as candidates for application in advanced joining technologies. The principal goals of application are: (i) to tune interface reactions in nano-structured Ni/Al, Ti/Al and Cu/Sn systems and (ii) to determine the thermodynamic driving forces and activation energies (i.e. the kinetic barriers) for interfacial segregation and grain-boundary wetting in binary alloys (Ag-Cu, Al-Si and Al-Cu). By developing the understanding of basic physical and chemical background of the phenomena the Project will focus on : (i) experimental investigations of dynamic atomic diffusion at nanocrystal facets and variable interfaces at low and high temperatures (in ultrafast laser-induced surface quasi-liquid and liquid layers) in silver nanoparticles and nanowires with reference to the melting process