Burn Time of Metal Nanoparticles

Abstract

This article will discuss the combustion of metal nanoparticles and explain the burn time dependence on particle size. In contrary to common belief in the power law (tb~d0.3), which, in our knowledge, is simply an experimental fit to data, we propose the logarithmic law (tb~ln(d)) that describes well the known results on nano-aluminum combustion. We derived the logarithmic dependence from a simple model taking into account the energy balance on the surface of a burning metal nanoparticle. The model in question is based on the small energy accommodation coefficient (EAC), which was recently utilized to solve experimental puzzles such as the significant temperature gap between the burning nanoparticle and the environment. A discussion on EAC, which value is important for the correct modeling of nanoparticle combustion, is also included. A way to generalize the considered combustion model is suggested.