arrow
Return

Nanogeometry Matters: Unexpected Decrease of Capillary Adhesion Forces with Increasing Relative Humidity

delete2010-11-11
delete46
delete
OA
AI
M
Mariana Köber
E
Enrique Sahagún
P
P. García‐Mochales
F
Fernando Briones
M
Mónica Luna *
J
J. J. Sáenz
DOI:10.1002/smll.201001297delete
deleteOriginal
deleteShare
deleteSave
View PDF
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
The sticking effect between hydrophilic surfaces occurring at increasing relative humidity (RH) is an everyday phenomenon with uncountable implications. Here experimental evidence is presented for a counterintuitive monotonous decrease of the capillary adhesion forces between hydrophilic surfaces with increasing RH for the whole humidity range. It is shown that this unexpected result is related to the actual shape of the asperity at the nanometer scale: a model based on macroscopic thermodynamics predicts this decrease in the adhesion force for a sharp object ending in an almost flat nanometer-sized apex, in full agreement with experiments. This anomalous decrease is due to the fact that a significant growth of the liquid meniscus formed at the contact region with increasing humidity is hindered for this geometry. These results are relevant in the analysis of the dynamical behavior of nanomenisci. They could also have an outstanding value in technological applications, since the undesirable sticking effect between surfaces occurring at increasing RH could be avoided by controlling the shape of the surface asperities at the nanometric scale.
Keywords:
WATER
NANOTRIBOLOGY
CONDENSATION
FRACTURE
AIR
AI Summary

AI Summary

Key information extracted from the uploaded paper, including a brief overview, abstract, background, key highlights, visual analysis, and future outlook.

Journal

Small cover
Small
IF:
12.1
Papers:
3.0W
Citations:
16.4W

Organization

C
consejo superior de investigaciones cientificas (csic)
Scholars:
8.8W
Papers: 8.5W
Citations: 125
A
Autonomous University of Madrid
Scholars:
2.1W
Papers: 1.7W
Citations: 29