Phase Equilibrium, Thermodynamic Limit, and Melting Temperature in Nanocrystals

Abstract

The phase equilibrium condition is shown to be strictly satisfied only in the thermodynamic limit. The notion of melting temperature in the thermodynamic limit is introduced. Formulas are obtained that determine the melting conditions and the melting temperature for finite systems including nanocrystals. The validity of those formulas is confirmed, by comparing them with experimental data for organic materials in porous solids.