Structural evolution of W nano clusters with increasing cluster size

We have recorded.the x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of nanometer-size W metal clusters prepared at different average cluster sizes. Nanometer-size W metal clusters were produced through a collision induced clustering mechanism of W metal atoms generated by decomposing W(CO)₆ vapors. The XRD patterns clearly showed that structure changed from amorphous→face-centered-cubic (fcc)→body-centered-cubic (bcc) with increasing average cluster size. This implies that W metal clusters do not simply approach the bulk bcc structure but pass through an intermediate fcc structure before they reach the bulk structure, as predicted by Tománek, Mukherjee, and Bennemann [Phys. Rev. B 28, 665 (1983)].