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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
The present work reports on the conditions of nanoparticle growth and splitting under energetic ion irradiation. Cohesive energy that determines the thermal stability of a given nanoparticle system was calculated by extending surface area difference (SAD) and liquid drop model (LDM). Based on the size-dependent cohesive energy calculations, the interparticle coalescence mechanism is discussed for a ZnS-based nanoparticle system with special reference to a variety of matrices. The interparticle separation is found to play key role in particle–particle coalescence leading to nanoparticle growth or partial evaporation that results in splitting.