Diamond-like-carbon and molybdenum disulfide nanotribology studies using atomic force measurements

In this work, some results are presented concerning the studies of friction coefficient distribution in diamond-like-carbon (DLC) and molybdenum disul fide (MoS2) thin films stored in atmosphere environment. Tribological nanos cale analysis using Lateral Force Microscopy (LFM) were performed. Experime nts aimed at establishing the tribological properties of sputtered DLC and MoS2 thin films. For friction measurements the LFM technique requires later al movement of the Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) tip in contact with a surf ace. The lateral force acts on the pyramidal tip attached to the end of the cantilever, due to friction or viscous forces, resulting in the cantilever measurable torsion and deflection related to friction's magnitude. The rel ationship among data from friction coefficient distribution, surface compos ition and crystal structure for DLC and MoS2 are compared and are presented for the first time. Auxiliary characterization techniques as Raman scatter ing spectroscopy (RSS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for both DLC and MoS2 thin films are also presented. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.