Harnessing thermal expansion mismatch to form hollow nanoparticles.

Nano popcorn: a new formation mechanism for the synthesis of hollow metal oxide nanoparticles through a melt fracture mechanism. The hollow nanoparticles are formed via brittle fracture following the generation of tensile stresses arising due to liquid-phase thermal expansion of a low melting point core metal. The progress of this physical process can be monitored using in situ transmission electron microscopy for a model system of indium/indium oxide.