Sliding on carbon nanotube arrays

Abstract

Adhesion, friction and wear of Single-Walled Nanotube (SWNT) and multi-walled nanotube arrays have been investigated. SWNT arrays exhibit lower adhesion and friction values on account of the lower van der Waals’ forces resulting from lower packing density and higher flexibility. Wear tests show that both arrays do not wear. Tip wear and friction force in the SWNT array are lower due to lower adhesion and higher flexibility of the SWNTs, which lead to less resistance to the motion of the tip.