On the Sensitivity of Nanogripper-Carbon Nanotube Friction to Contact Area

• Published in: E-journal of surface science and nanotechnology Vol. 15; pp. 81 - 86
• Main Authors: Haddadi, Elnaz, Kashani, Hadi Ghattan, panahi, Masoud Shariat, Nahvi, Hasan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: Tokyo The Japan Society of Vacuum and Surface Science 01.01.2017; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Carbon Nanotubes; Computer simulation; Contact area; Friction; Mechanical properties; Molecular adhesion; Molecular Dynamics; Nanogrippers; Nanoparticles; Pneumatics
• ISSN: 1348-0391; 1348-0391
• DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2017.81

Despite the large volume of research dedicated to the structure and functioning of nano- electromechanical systems, few researchers have addressed the practical problems involved in their manufacture and manipulation. This paper investigates the friction phenomenon in Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) being grasped/manipulated by a nanogripper. Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations are employed to model the combination of friction and molecular adhesion that governs the mechanical behavior of a CNT when subjected to various loads from the gripper. It is shown that for a certain gripping force, friction between the CNT and the gripper is nonlinearly proportional to the contact area up to a certain value, and remains unchanged afterwards. This is contrary to the common belief that any amount of friction force required for detaching/relocating of CNTs could be achieved by increasing the gripping force. The implications of this finding could affect the way nanogrippers are designed for the construction/manipulation of nanoparticles. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2017.81]