Ostwald ripening of the platinum nanoparticles in the framework of the modified LSW Theory

Abstract

An analysis of the experimental data related to the mechanism of Pt particles sintering has been carried out using the modified LSW theory. The size distribution for the Pt nanoparticles at the stage of Ostwald ripening fits the generalized Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner model calculated with the assumption of two parallel mechanisms involved in the nanoparticles growth (dissolution): diffusion and Wagner's (controlled by the chemical reaction rate). Comparison between the experimental histograms and the curves calculated theoretically proves the governing role of the Wagner's mechanism (chemical reaction) in the Pt nanoparticles growth.