Surface melting of Sn nanoparticles embedded in an Al matrix studied by high-temperature in situ X-ray diffraction

► Sn nanoparticles embedded in an Al matrix were prepared via the high energy ball milling method. ► Melting behavior of the Sn nanoparticles was studied by high-temperature in situ XRD. ► Variation in diffraction intensity vs. temperature is related to the surface-to-volume ratio of the Sn nanoparticles. ► The results of high-temperature in situ XRD confirm the surface melting of Sn nanoparticles.