Thermomechanical properties of gold nanowires supported on a flexible substrate

Diffusion-controlled deformation mechanisms may become relevant for nanocrystalline and nanostructured materials at room temperature. In this paper, the stress–strain behavior of gold nanowires 40 nm wide, 20 nm high and 1 mm long on a flexible substrate was investigated in the temperature range of 173–393 K. For decreasing temperatures, the yield strength and the fracture resistance increase. Both can be qualitatively explained by diffusion-driven deformation. The activation energy at room temperature indicates diffusion on (1 1 1) surfaces.