Near-perfect healing natures of silver five-fold twinned nanowire

Abstract Healing nanogap of metal nanowire is essential for the manufacturing and maintaining of nanoelectronic devices. Recent experimental study has demonstrated the feasibility of nanohealing in silver nanowire by using plasmonic heating. Here we report for the first time the effect of atomic lattice structures on the healing behavior and mechanism of silver nanowires due to plasmon, by using molecular dynamics simulation with a self-limited strategy. Three fundamental steps of the repair process are identified based on atomic behaviors, i.e. melting, recrystallizing, and healing. The five-fold twinned nanowires (FFTNW) is easier to get perfect healing than the single crystal ones. The near-perfect healing natures of FFTNW are mainly attributed to the non-linear stress distribution of cross section and the inherent five-fold twinned boundaries, which limit dislocation nucleating and provide self-healing nature. Our results provide a new microscopic perspective and understanding for the plasmonic nanohealing technology.