The lattice contraction of nanometre-sized Sn and Bi particles produced by an electrohydrodynamic technique

The size dependence of lattice contraction can be understood by assuming the nanoparticles to be a liquid drop and that there exists a pressure difference (Δp) between the inside and outside of the liquid drop. The analysis of the experimental data of Yu et al on the lattice contraction reveals that the isothermal compressibility is different for different orientations of the lattice plane, which is in good agreement with earlier reported data.