Friction force microscopy of mixed Langmuir-Blodgett films

Thin films of mixtures of fluorocarbons and hydrocarbons are investigated by friction force microscopy. For a mixture of equal molar parts of arachidic acid and partially fluorinated carboxylic acid, phase separation manifests itself as circular domains. By shortening the length of the hydrocarbon c...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Thin solid films 1992-11, Vol.220 (1), p.132-137
Main Authors: Meyer, E., Overney, R., Lüthi, R., Brodbeck, D., Howald, L., Frommer, J., Güntherodt, H.-J., Wolter, O., Fujihira, M., Takano, H., Gotoh, Y.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties
Exact sciences and technology
Physical properties of thin films, nonelectronic
Physics
Solid surfaces and solid-solid interfaces
Surface energy
thermodynamic properties
Surfaces and interfaces
thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties)
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Thin films of mixtures of fluorocarbons and hydrocarbons are investigated by friction force microscopy. For a mixture of equal molar parts of arachidic acid and partially fluorinated carboxylic acid, phase separation manifests itself as circular domains. By shortening the length of the hydrocarbon chain, the disorder of the system is increased and phase separation takes on a fractal geometry. The frictional forces are found to be material specific and distinguish between domains of fluorocarbons and hydrocarbons. With higher normal forces hydrocarbon particles are easily sheared away while the fluorocarbon region remains unbroken. The results are discussed in relation to the phenomenon of boundary lubrication.
ISSN:0040-6090
1879-2731
DOI:10.1016/0040-6090(92)90561-O