The nucleation and growth of nanostructures due to friction Online publication date: Mon, 19-Jan-2009
by Milind Kulkarni, Hyungoo Lee, Michael Sitton, Hong Liang
International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties (IJMMP), Vol. 3, No. 6, 2008
Abstract: In this research, we investigate the material transfer phenomena that appear during sliding conditions. The purpose of this research is to understand surface properties and behaviours at nanometre-length scales. Research was conducted using a pin-on-disk tribometer. A metal indium was used as a pin to slide against a single crystal silicon. The applied load and sliding speed were altered in order to observe their effects. Surface characterisation was subsequently carried out using an atomic force microscope and a transmission electron microscope. The results showed that under mild contact pressure, nanostructures were formed, rather than wear. The nucleation and growth of such nanostructures were found to correlate to that of the Fick's diffusion equation. This indicates that the process-controlled nanostructures were the results of sliding. This research presents a potentially new technique, controlled assembly, to generate nanostructures.
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