Finite size effect on melting enthalpy and melting entropy of nanocrystals

It is demonstrated that a simple model, free of any adjustable parameter, c an be developed for the melting enthalpy and melting entropy of nanocrystal s based on Mott's equation for the melting entropy and a model for the size -dependent melting temperature. It is shown that the enthalpy and entropy o f melting for a nanocrystal decrease as its size decrease. The results are supported by available experimental results on metallic and organic nanocry stals. The model suggests that the size-dependent melting enthalpy and melt ing entropy for non-semiconductor nanocrystals are determined by the vibrat ional component of overall melting enthalpy and entropy. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.