Analysis of Carbon Nanotube Arrays for Their Potential Use as Adhesives Under Harsh Conditions as in Space Technology

Abstract

For their potential use as dry adhesives under harsh conditions as in space, we investigated the temperature dependence of the adhesion of carbon nanotube arrays by atomic force microscopy (AFM) from $$-\,20\,^\circ \hbox {C}$$ to $$+\,240\,^\circ \hbox {C}$$ . In order to mimic the specific conditions for space application as close as possible, we glued tiny meteoritic particles to AFM cantilevers as probes. The measurements revealed that the adhesion forces of about $$2.5\,\hbox {N/cm}^2$$ are practically constant in the investigated temperature range. Long-term measurements with 1000 attachment–detachment cycles demonstrated the long-term stability of carbon nanotube arrays. The overall properties did not change after exposing the sample to simulated space condition. Additionally, we measured the adhesion between ice and carbon nanotubes at $$-\,20\,^\circ \hbox {C}$$ and obtained similar results. For these measurements, we used a bundle of CNTs as probe and grow a closed ice layer as sample surface.