Cu–Ni nanoalloy phase diagram – Prediction and experiment

The Cu–Ni nanoalloy phase diagram respecting the nanoparticle size as an extra variable was calculated by the CALPHAD method. The samples of the Cu–Ni nanoalloys were prepared by the solvothermal synthesis from metal precursors. The samples were characterized by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS), infrared spectroscopy (IR), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP/OES), transmission electron microscopy (TEM, HRTEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The nanoparticle size, chemical composition, and Cu–Ni nanoparticles melting temperature depression were obtained. The experimental temperatures of melting of nanoparticles were in good agreement with the theoretical CALPHAD predictions considering surface energy.