Adhesion and spreading of Ag nanoparticles on SiO2 substrates by molecular dynamics simulation

To validate the present theoretical study of the adhesion and spreading of Ag nanoparticles on a SiO2 substrate, the pull-off force of Ag nanoparticles from a SiO2 substrate and optimum temperature required to make uniform thin Ag film on a SiO2 obtained by the present study are compared to those of experimental studies. Effects of Ag nanoparticle size and temperature on the pull-off force from the SiO2 substrate are studied using molecular dynamics simulations to understand the stability of Ag nanoparticles on a SiO2 substrate because the smoothness of its surface depends on the stability of Ag nanoparticles due to the application of the external force during its operation. During lateral sliding of Ag nanoparticle on a SiO2 substrate, a resistance force is developed which depends on the resultant adhesive force along the lateral direction of the SiO2 substrate. Effects of sizes of Ag nanoparticle on the lateral adhesive force are studied during sliding on a SiO2 substrate. Due to the dispersive adhesive force, Ag nanoparticle spreads on the SiO2 substrate. Effects of temperature on the spreading phenomenon of Ag nanoparticle on a SiO2 substrate are also studied.