Molecular dynamics study of the surface scattering and capture of nanoparticles at high velocities

• Classical molecular dynamics methods used to study the scattering of nanoparticles.
• Calculations reproduce experimental data on the critical velocities scattered particles need to escape from a surface.
• Calculations reproduce the transition in particle scattering from elastic to plastic deformation.
• Calculations highlight the significance of dissipative dynamics in the particle collision process.

Classical molecular dynamics has been used to simulate the elastic scattering of single solid nano-particles from a flat rigid surface. The results show that with the inclusion of a weighted dissipative force the method is capable of reproducing experimental measurements of the critical velocities required for sodium chloride and silver nano-particles to experience elastic scattering from a surface. The velocity at which impacting particles undergo a transition away from elastic scattering and towards plastic deformation is also reproduced.

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