How Does the Melting Temperature Change at the Nanoscale?
The melting temperature of nanomaterials can be considerably lower than that of their bulk counterparts. This phenomenon is primarily due to the high surface-to-volume ratio of nanomaterials. At the nanoscale, surface atoms have less coordination and weaker bonding, which makes it easier for them to break free from the lattice structure. As a result, less thermal energy is required to induce melting, leading to a decrease in melting temperature.