Pressure Dependent Volume Change in Some Nanomaterials Using an Equation of State

Abstract

A simple equation of state (EoS) has been derived and used to study the volume expansion of some nanomaterials under the effect of pressure. Only two input parameters, namely, the bulk modulus and its first pressure derivative are required for calculations. We have considered a wide variety of nanomaterials, such as, metals [Ni (20 nm), α-Fe (nanotubes), Cu (80nm) and Ag (55nm)], semiconductors [Ge (49 nm), Si, CdSe (rock-salt phase), MgO (20nm) and ZnO], and carbon nanotube (CNT) to analyze the effects of pressure on them. The results have been compared with the available experimental data as well as with those obtained through other theoretical approaches. Excellent agreement between theoretical and experimental data, throughout the range of pressure under investigation, supports the validity of present approach.