  Sintering of alumina nanoparticles is of interest both from the view of
fundamental research as well as for industrial applications. Atomistic
simulations are tailor-made for understanding and predicting the time- and
temperature-dependent sintering behaviour. However, the quality and
predictability of such analysis is strongly dependent on the performance of the
underlying interatomic potentials. In this work, we investigate and benchmark
four empirical interatomic potentials and discuss the resulting properties and
drawbacks based on experimental and density functional theory data from the
literature. The potentials, which have different origins and formulations, are
then used in molecular dynamics simulations to perform a systematic study of
the sintering process. To analyse the results, we develop a number of tailored
data analysis approaches that are able to characterise and quantify the
sintering process. Subsequently, the disparities in the sintering behaviour
predicted by the potentials are critically discussed. Finally, we conclude by
providing explanations for the differences in performance of the potentials,
together with recommendations for molecular dynamics sintering simulations of
alumina.
