Effect of thermal mismatch strain on the self-assembly of nanorods in YBCO/NRs nanocomposite films

Abstract

This study presents a thermoelastic model to investigate the impact of thermal mismatch strain, resulting from distinct thermal expansion coefficients between the film matrix and nanorods, on the self-assembly of nanorods in YBCO/NRs nanocomposite films. An accurate understanding of thermal mismatch strain generated during nanocomposite film preparation is vital for controlling the self-assembly of artificial nanorods in such films. In this model, we calculated the total elastic energy density of the film matrix and nanorods, considering both lattice and thermal mismatch strains, to analyze the effect of thermal strain on the diameter of c-oriented nanorods in YBCO nanocomposite films. The calculated nanorod diameter values match experimentally measured values for BaZrO₃ and BaSnO₃ nanorods. Furthermore, compared to results that only consider lattice mismatch strain, the proposed model yields closer calculation values to experimental measurements by incorporating the impact of thermal mismatch strain. The thermal mismatch strain also affects the spacing between two adjacent nanorods, having the most profound effect on BSO nanorods compared to BZO and BHO nanorods. These findings contribute to understanding the mechanisms involved in nanorod self-assembly and provide insights to optimize the design of YBCO/NRs nanocomposite films.

Keywords:

• Elastic energy density
• nanorod diameter
• thermal mismatch strain
• thermoelastic strain model
• YBCO/NRs nanocomposite films

Disclosure statement

No potential competing interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported financially by the Funds of the National Science Foundation of China (Nos. 12232005, 12072101 and 12372149). Authors gratefully acknowledge these financial supports.