Photolithographic Silicon Patterns with Z-DOL (perfluoropolyether, PFPE) Coating as Tribological Surfaces for Miniaturized Devices

Silicon micro-patterns were fabricated on Si (100) wafers using photolithography and DRIE (Deep Reactive Ion Etching) fabrication techniques. The patterned shapes included micro-pillars and micro-channels. After the fabrication of the patterns, the patterned surfaces were chemically modified by coating Z-DOL (perfluoropolyether, PFPE) thin films. The surfaces were then evaluated for their micro-friction behavior in comparison with those of bare Si (100) flat, Z-DOL coated Si (100) flat and uncoated Si patterns. Experimental results showed that the chemically treated (Z-DOL coated) patterned surfaces exhibited the lowest values of coefficient of friction when compared to the rest of the test materials. The results indicate that a combination of both the topographical and chemical modification is very effective in reducing the friction property. Combined surface treatments such as these could be useful for tribological applications in miniaturized devices such as Micro/Nano-Electro-Mechanical-Systems (MEMS/NEMS).