Rapid isotopic exchange in nanoparticles

Abstract

Rapid solution-state exchange dynamics in nanoscale pieces of matter is revealed, taking isotopically pure atomically precise clusters as examples. As two isotopically pure silver clusters made of 107 Ag and 109 Ag are mixed, an isotopically mixed cluster of the same entity results, similar to the formation of HDO, from H 2 O and D 2 O. This spontaneous process is driven by the entropy of mixing and involves events at multiple time scales.