Sintering of silicon nanoparticle chain aggregates are investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations at 1500K, which is about melting temperature at the size range we tested. The straight chain aggregates consist of upto 40 particles and the primary particles of 2.5 to 5nm sizes are considered. The sintering time increases with increase the total volume of the chain aggregate or with increase the exposed initial surface area of the chain. A mathematical model was developed to describe the dynamics of sintering of chain aggregates. The model was able to predict the sintering time with excellent agreement with the results obtained from MD simulations. We also studied the chain aggregate that has a secondary branch coming out from the edge of the primary branch (L-shape) and from the middle of the primary branch (T-shape). In general, sintering time changes as much as 30% of that of a straight chain which contains the same volume of particles.
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