Stable nanocolloidal structures in metallic systems.

Molecular dynamics simulations with a semiempirical interatomic potential predict the existence of a thermodynamically stable colloidal structure with nanometer-size Ta particles suspended in liquid Cu. The thermodynamic stability of this structure against coarsening, coalescence or transformation to a homogeneous solution is explained by a negative and strongly curvature-dependent tension of the Cu/Ta interfaces. Simulations with this potential provide a simple computational model for studies of generic thermodynamic properties of nanodisperse systems with a negative interface free energy.