Influence of Humidity on Microtribology of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Film

TL;DR

This study investigates how water vapor affects the microtribological properties of vertically aligned carbon nanotube films, revealing humidity-independent adhesion and friction due to their hydrophobic nature.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the humidity effects on VACNT films' tribological behavior, highlighting their stable properties across varying humidity levels.

Findings

Adhesion and friction forces are independent of humidity.

VACNT films exhibit very low adhesion forces.

Friction coefficients range from 0.6 to 1.3.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to probe the influence of water vapor environment on the microtribological properties of a forestlike vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) film, deposited on a silicon (001) substrate by chemical vapor deposition. Tribological experiments were performed using a gold tip under relative humidity varying from 0 to 100%. Very low adhesion forces and high friction coefficients of 0.6 to 1.3 resulted. The adhesion and friction forces were independent of humidity, due probably to the high hydrophobicity of VACNT. These tribological characteristics were compared to those of a diamond like carbon (DLC) sample.