The configurations of nanoalloy by impact deposition: atomistic simulation on Ni–Al system

The use of energetic particles can change the growth mode and provide control of nanoalloy morphology and properties. The impact deposition of Ni (or Al) on the truncated octahedral nanoparticle of Al (or Ni) is studied. The embedded atom method is used for the description of the interatomic interactions in combination with molecular dynamics method for the growth simulation. Three configurations of Ni–Al nanoparticle are obtained depending on incident energy and deposition sequence. A perfect core–shell nanoparticle with Ni-core/Al-shell is obtained as Al atoms are deposited over Ni nanoparticle. For the deposition of Ni atoms on Al nanoparticle, an onion-like nanoparticle at smaller incident energy, and a configuration with Al-shell and alloyed Ni–Al core at larger incident energy are observed, respectively. The formation energies show that the latter is energetically favorable.