The role of twinning in multi metallic alloys at the nanoscale

The alloys at the nano scale are expected to produce a rich variety of new materials. In contrast with the bulk alloys, the rules of alloying are not well established at the nano scale. In this paper, we discuss multimetallic nanostructures. We differentiate between clusters, nanoparticles and nano-microstructures. We present examples of each case. The results indicate that twins are a key element of the growth. This results in the formation of multi twinned structures with five-fold symmetry. We conclude that twins at the nanoscale play the same role in crystal growth than screw dislocations do on the bulk. Au–Cu–Pd–Ni multimetallic microparticle showing core shell structure along with fivefold symmetry. [Display omitted] •We found that twinning is a key mechanism which contributes to the growth shape and stability of clusters, nanoparticles and nano-Micro particles.•Twin boundaries in nanoparticles plays the same role that screw dislocations do in bulk material.•The NP containing multiple metals results in a strong prevalence of five-fold symmetry structures.