Relationship between Friction and Molecular Structure: Alkylsilane Lubricant Films under Pressure

Journal Article · Wed Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1999 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.82.2880· OSTI ID:335625

Barrena, E; Kopta, S; Ogletree, D F; Charych, D H; Salmeron, M ^[1]

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1. Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 (United States)

We demonstrate that energy losses during friction of alkylsilane self-assembled monolayers with sharp atomic force microscope tips can be correlated to molecular events occurring at specific threshold loads. Under these loads, discrete molecular tilts occur, which are dictated by the geometrical requirements of the close packing of molecules. The barriers overcome during these tilt events give rise to discrete changes in the frictional forces. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 335625
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 14 Vol. 82; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CARBON COMPOUNDS
FRICTION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
LUBRICATION
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SILANES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
THIN FILMS
TRIBOLOGY