Misfit dislocation loops in hollow core–shell nanoparticles

A theoretical model is suggested to determine the critical conditions for generation of circular prismatic misfit dislocation loops in hollow core–shell nanoparticles. Based on a strict solution of the linear elasticity boundary-value problem for a circular prismatic dislocation loop in a free-surface shell, we examine the loop formation energy in the nanoparticle and show a potential opportunity to fabricate hollow, coherently bonded, i.e. dislocation-free, core–shell nanoparticles by using thin-wall shells with inner-to-outer radii ratio >0.8 as supporting cores.