A simple criterion for determining the static friction force between nanowires and flat substrates using the most-bent-state method

Frictional behavior of one-dimensional materials: an experimental perspective

The frictional behavior of one-dimensional (1D) materials, including nanotubes, nanowires, and nanofibers, significantly influences the efficient fabrication, functionality, and reliability of innovative devices integrating 1D components. Such devices comprise piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators, biosensing and implantable devices, along with biomimetic adhesives based on 1D arrays. This review compiles and critically assesses recent experimental techniques for exploring the frictional behavior of 1D materials. Specifically, it underscores various measurement methods and technologies employing atomic force microscopy, electron microscopy, and optical microscopy nanomanipulation. The emphasis is on their primary applications and challenges in measuring and characterizing the frictional behavior of 1D materials. Additionally, we discuss key accomplishments over the past two decades in comprehending the frictional behaviors of 1D materials, with a focus on factors such as materials combination, interface roughness, environmental humidity, and non-uniformity. Finally, we offer a brief perspective on ongoing challenges and future directions, encompassing the systematic investigation of the testing environment and conditions, as well as the modification of surface friction through surface alterations.

Mechanism-Independent Manipulation of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes with Atomic Force Microscopy Tip

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) based nanomanipulation can align the orientation and position of individual carbon nanotubes accurately. However, the flexible deformation during the tip manipulation modifies the original shape of these nanotubes, which could affect its electrical properties and reduce the accuracy of AFM nanomanipulation. Thus, we developed a protocol for searching the synergistic parameter combinations to push single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) to maintain their original shape after manipulation as far as possible, without requiring the sample physical properties and the tip-manipulation mechanisms. In the protocol, from a vast search space of manipulating parameters, the differential evolution (DE) algorithm was used to identify the optimal combinations of three parameters rapidly with the DE algorithm and the feedback of the length ratio of SWCNTs before and after manipulation. After optimizing the scale factor F and crossover probability Cr, the values F = 0.4 and Cr = 0.6 were used, and the ratio could reach 0.95 within 5-7 iterations. A parameter region with a higher length ratio was also studied to supply arbitrary pushing parameter combinations for individual manipulation demand. The optimal pushing parameter combination reduces the manipulation trajectory and the tip abrasion, thereby significantly improving the efficiency of tip manipulation for nanowire materials. The protocol for searching the best parameter combinations used in this study can also be extended to manipulate other one-dimensional nanomaterials.

Interfacial adhesion of ZnO nanowires on a Si substrate in air

It is imperative to understand the interfacial adhesive behaviour of nanowires (NW) integrated into a nanoelectromechanical system in order to design commercialisable nanogenerators as well as ultrasensitive sensors. Currently available interfacial adhesion characterisation techniques that utilise in situ electron microscopy subject nanoscale systems to a high-vacuum, electron-irradiated environment, potentially altering their interfacial interactions. Alternatively, force-sensing techniques conducted in air do not provide visual feedback of the interface, and therefore can only indirectly deduce adhesive properties. Here, we present an interface characterisation technique that enforces ZnO NWs to remain partially delaminated on a Si substrate, and permits optical observation of their deformed condition in air. NWs are draped over a wedge and are allowed to conform to their minimum energy state. We evaluate the strain energy stored in the suspended segment of each NW by determining their deflected shape from interferometry. We show that utilising a tailored Euler-Bernoulli beam model which accounts for the tapering and irregularity of a NW is crucial for accurately evaluating their interfacial adhesion energy. A nominal energy per unit interface area value of [capital Gamma, Greek, macron]_{F-B,irr,taper} = 51.1 ± 31.9 mJ m^-2 is obtained for the ZnO NW-Si substrate interface; a magnitude lower than that found using electron microscopy, and higher than the upper-bound of the theoretically predicted van der Waals interaction energy of γ_vdW = 7.2 mJ m^-2. This apparent discrepancy has significant implications for any nanotribological study conducted inside an electron microscope. The results also implicate electrostatic and capillary interactions as significant contributors towards a NW's adhesive behaviour during device operation.

Effects of surface defects on the mechanical properties of ZnO nanowires

The elastic modulus of ZnO nanowires was measured using a resonance method based on laser Doppler effect and their fracture strains were determined via two-point bending with the aid of optical nanomanipulation. The elastic moduli of ZnO nanowires with diameters of 78 to 310 nm vary from 123 to 154 GPa, which are close to the bulk value of 140 GPa and independent of the diameters and surface defects. However, the fracture strains of the ZnO nanowires depend significantly on their diameters, increasing from 2.1% to 6.0% with the decrease in diameter from 316 to 114 nm. Post-mortem TEM analysis of the ends of the fractured nanowires revealed that fracture initiated at surface defects. The Weibull statistical analysis demonstrated that a greater defect depth led to a smaller fracture strain. The surface-defect dominated fracture should be an important consideration for the design and application of nanowire-based nanoelectromechanical systems.

The Mechanical Properties of Nanowires

Applications of nanowires into future generation nanodevices require a complete understanding of the mechanical properties of the nanowires. A great research effort has been made in the past two decades to understand the deformation physics and mechanical behaviors of nanowires, and to interpret the discrepancies between experimental measurements and theoretical predictions. This review focused on the characterization and understanding of the mechanical properties of nanowires, including elasticity, plasticity, anelasticity and strength. As the results from the previous literature in this area appear inconsistent, a critical evaluation of the characterization techniques and methodologies were presented. In particular, the size effects of nanowires on the mechanical properties and their deformation mechanisms were discussed.

The effect of surface texture on the kinetic friction of a nanowire on a substrate

The friction between Al2O3 nanowires and silicon substrates of different surface textures was characterised by use of optical manipulation. It was found that surface textures had significant effect on both the friction and the effective contact area between a nanowire and a substrate. A genetic algorithm was developed to determine the effective contact area between the nanowire and the textured substrate. The frictional force was found to be nearly proportional to the effective contact area, regardless of width, depth, spacing and orientation of the surface textures. Interlocking caused by textured grooves was not observed in this study.