Interlayer Forces and Ultralow Sliding Friction in Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

作者：András Kis, K. Jensen, Shaul Aloni, William Mickelson, Alex Zettl · 发表于：Physical Review Letters · 年份：2006 · DOI：10.1103/physrevlett.97.025501 · 被引用次数：263 · 研究领域：Carbon Nanotubes in Composites、Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications、Mechanical and Optical Resonators

We describe interlayer force measurements during prolonged, cyclic telescoping motion of a multiwalled carbon nanotube. The force acting between the core and the outer casing is modulated by the presence of stable defects and generally exhibits ultralow friction, below the measurement limit of $1.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}15}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{N}/\mathrm{\text{atom}}$ and total dissipation per cycle lower than $0.4\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{meV}/\mathrm{\text{atom}}$. Defects intentionally introduced in the form of dangling bonds lead to temporary mechanical dissipation, but the innate ability of nanotubes to self heal rapidly optimizes the atomic structure and restores smooth motion.