Abstract
In this study, we demonstrate a high-resolution friction profiling technique usingsynchronous atomic/lateral force microscopy (AFM/LFM). The atomic resolution isachieved by our special carbon nanotube (CNT) probes made via in situ tailoring andmanipulation inside an ultra-high vacuum transmission electron microscope (UHV TEM).The frictional pattern mapped on graphite displays a periodic distribution similar to theatomic (0001)-oriented graphite lattice structure. Furthermore, the electrothermalprocess in the UHV TEM renders a graphite-capped CNT tip, which delivers thenanotribology study within two graphite layers by the LFM measurement ongraphite. The synchronous AFM and LFM images can discern a spatial shiftbetween the atomic points and local friction maxima. We further interpret thisshift as caused by the lattice distortion, which in turn induces irreversible energydissipation. We believe this is the origin of atomic friction on the sub-nanonewton scale.
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