Melting Behaviour of Bi1-xSbx Free Standing Alloy Nanoparticles Synthesized via Solvothermal Route

Abstract

The present investigation aims at understanding the effect of size on melting behaviour of free standing alloy nanoparticles. Alloy nanoparticles of Bi1-xSbx (x=0.12, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75) have been synthesized by solvothermal route using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as a reducing agent. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The melting behaviour of alloys was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The formation of different solid solution phases of Bi-Sb alloy has been confirmed by detailed XRD studies. Uniform cuboctahedral as well as spherical morphology of alloy nanoparticles has been observed in TEM with average particle size of 40±9 nm in Bi0.75Sb0.25 specimen. DSC studies indicate the depression in the melting temperature of the nanoparticles as compared to the bulk alloy of same composition.

Keywords

• solvothermal route
• nanoalloys
• X-ray diffraction
• transmission electron microscopy
• melting
• solidification
• differential scanning calorimetry