Journal article

### Thermodynamic limit for particle monodispersity: How narrow can a particle size distribution be?

Abstract:

A key problem in many emerging nanotechnologies is to create a narrow distribution of particles. Here, we prove the existence of a fundamental lower bound for the width of a particle size distribution (PSD) at equilibrium. This thermodynamic limit arises from the decrease of entropy for an ideal monodisperse distribution and is determined by the effective surface energy and temperature. The existence of this limit, provided that it is energetically favourable, implies that it is not possible ...

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed
Version:
Accepted Manuscript

### Access Document

Files:
• (pdf, 2.4MB)
Publisher copy:
10.1209/0295-5075/119/50001

### Authors

More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MPLS Division
Department:
Mathematical Institute
Oxford college:
St Catherines College
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MPLS Division
Department:
Mathematical Institute
Oxford college:
Linacre College
Role:
Author
Publisher:
IOP Publisher's website
Journal:
EPL Journal website
Volume:
119
Pages:
50001
Publication date:
2017-11-08
Acceptance date:
2017-10-16
DOI:
EISSN:
1286-4854
ISSN:
0295-5075
Pubs id:
pubs:736340
URN:
uri:7435ab20-a3f2-4eba-991b-43e1bab2c2d5
UUID:
uuid:7435ab20-a3f2-4eba-991b-43e1bab2c2d5
Local pid:
pubs:736340