Nano-scale Friction Properties of SAMs with Different Chain Length and End Groups

Friction characteristics at nano-scale of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) having different chain lengths and end groups were experimentally studied.51 order to understand the effect of the chain length and end group on the nano-scalefriction: (1) two different SAMs of shorter chain lengths with different end groups such as methyl and phenyl groups, and (2)four different kinds of SAMs having long chain lengths (C10) with end groups of fluorine and hydrogen were coated on siliconwafer (100) by dipping method and Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) technique. Their nano-scale friction was measuredusing an Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in the range of 0-40 nN normal loads. Measurements were conducted at the scanning speed of 2 $mu$m/s for the scan size of 1$mu$m x 1 $mu$m using a contact mode type $Si_3N_4$ tip (NPS 20) that had a nominal spring constant0.58 N/m. All experiments were conducted at anlbient temperature (24 $pm$1$circ$C) and relative humidity (45 $pm$ 5%). Results showedthat the friction force increased with applied normal load for all samples, and that the silicon wafer exhibited highest frictionwhen compared to SAMs. While friction was affected by the inherent adhesion in silicon wafer, it was influenced by the chainlength and end group in the SAMs. It was observed that the nano-friction decreased with the chain length in SAMs. In the caseof monolayers with shorter length, the one with the phenyl group exhibited higher friction owing to the presence of benBenerings that are stiffer in nature. In the case of SAMs with longer chain length, those with fluorine showed friction values relativelyhigher than those of hydrogen. The increase in friction due to the presence of fluorine group has been discussed with respect tothe siBe of the fluorine atom.