When it comes to metals, it is common knowledge that smaller grains make for harder metals. But how exactly do you achieve those grains?
A group of Brown University researchers have found a way to break down individual metal nanoclusters that result in metals that are up to four times harder than naturally occurring structures. This new method is very different from conventional hardening methods.
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“Hammers and other hardening methods are all of the above methods of changing the grain structure, and it is very difficult to control the grain size you finish,” Ou Chen, a professor, said in a press release. Brown’s chemistry and corresponding author of the new research.
“What we have done is create nanoparticle building blocks that will bind together when you press them. In this way, we can have equal grain sizes that can be fine-tuned for improved buildings. ”
For this research, the team used nanoparticles of gold, silver, palladium, and other metals and chemically removed them from the organic molecules called ligands, which typically inhibit the formation of metal-bonds. metal between particles. The assemblages were then able to melt together with just a little pressure.
The new metal coins made by this method were found to have almost the same electrical conduction and light reflection as conventional metals but their optical properties have been greatly altered.
“Because of what is known as the plasmonic effect, gold nanoparticles are purple-black in color,” Chen said. “But when we apply pressure, we suddenly see these purple collections turning to a bright golden color. That’s one of the ways we knew we had created great gold. ”
The researchers are now looking at the method of applying it to commercial products as the chemical treatment is relatively simple to execute. Chen has currently patented this method and sees great potential for it “both for industry and for the scientific research community.”