Adhesion distribution on the surface of a single microparticle

Abstract

Precise adhesion distribution on the surface of a single microparticle has been a significant challenge, mainly because its micro-scale handling/manipulation in a controllable manner and uncertainty related to the nature of relevant nano-scale contacts/interfaces are still unresolved. In the current work, it is demonstrated that, under the influence of Surface Acoustic Wave pulses, a single spherical microparticle can be rolled by first breaking its bond with the substrate and bringing it to another stationary contact point. During successive stop-and-go rolling steps, the work-of-adhesion at each contact point is obtained interferometrically. The coordinates of the contact points during the experiments are obtained from the particle trajectories after successive rolling actions. The coordinates of the contact points are mapped on the surface of the particle to obtain a statistically scanned surface adhesion map. Here, we report the adhesion distribution on the surface of a single microparticle.