Solubility of impurities in nanoparticles and nanoclusters

Abstract An important modern problem is the doping of nanoparticles with impurities, which allow the creation of silicon nanoclusters (Si-NC) emitting light, and are also objects for solar energy. We have shown that alloying particles with sizes less than 5 nm is limited by the potential barrier that creates surface tension. Thermodynamic calculations showed that there is a critical size of the nanoparticle and if it is smaller, then it is impossible to introduce an impurity into it. These calculations were performed for doping silicon with phosphorus and tin, as well as for introducing carbon into the nickel catalyst for the growth of carbon nanotubes. They show agreement with the experimental results that are in the scientific literature.