• 文献标题:   Observation of Pull-In Instability in Graphene Membranes under Interfacial Forces
  • 文献类型:   Article
  • 作  者:   LIU XH, BODDETI NG, SZPUNAR MR, WANG LD, RODRIGUEZ MA, LONG R, XIAO JL, DUNN ML, BUNCH JS
  • 作者关键词:   graphene, interfacial force, nanoelectromechanical system, pullin instability
  • 出版物名称:   NANO LETTERS
  • ISSN:   1530-6984 EI 1530-6992
  • 通讯作者地址:   Univ Colorado
  • 被引频次:   23
  • DOI:   10.1021/nl401180t
  • 出版年:   2013

▎ 摘  要

We present a unique experimental configuration that allows us to determine the interfacial forces on nearly parallel plates made from the thinnest possible mechanical structures, single and few layer graphene membranes. Our approach consists of using a pressure difference across a graphene membrane to bring the membrane to within similar to 10-20 nm above a circular post covered with SiOx or Au until a critical point is reached whereby the membrane snaps into adhesive contact with the post. Continuous measurements of the deforming membrane with an AFM coupled with a theoretical model allow us to deduce the magnitude of the interfacial forces between graphene and SiOx and graphene and Au. The nature of the interfacial forces at similar to 10-20 nm separation is consistent with an inverse fourth power distance dependence, implying that the interfacial forces are dominated by van der Waals interactions. Furthermore, the strength of the interactions is found to increase linearly with the number of graphene layers. The experimental approach can be used to measure the strength of the interfacial forces for other atomically thin two-dimensional materials and help guide the development of nanomechanical devices such as switches, resonators, and sensors.