Crystallization of liquid Cu nanodroplets on single crystal Cu substrates prefers closest-packed planes regardless of the substrate orientations

We report molecular dynamics simulations of thermal spray coating of Cu nanodroplets on Cu substrates with different orientations, and show that the droplets crystallize by adding the closest-packed {111} planes regardless of the substrate orientations. Such preferential growth along the closest-packed planes may be common in a broad range of crystallization and melting processes.

► Cu nanodroplets crystallize by adding the closest-packed {111} planes. ► As-grown crystal is still oriented along the substrate orientation. ► A moving solid–liquid interface is not parallel to but may be at an angle with the substrate.