AUTHOR=Lee W. J. , Ha J. W. , Kim J. M. , Caron A. 

TITLE=On the elasticity, adhesion, and friction of PDMS at the nanometer scale

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Coatings, Dyes and Interface Engineering

VOLUME=Volume 2 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/coatings-dyes-and-interface-engineering/articles/10.3389/frcdi.2024.1428841

DOI=10.3389/frcdi.2024.1428841

ISSN=2813-6861

ABSTRACT=We apply atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based methods to quantify PDMS's elastic and tribological properties in single asperity contacts (quasi-static and sliding) with a nanometer-scale SiOx asperity under dry conditions. The selected experimental approach allows us to model the contact initiation with PDMS and its degradation. Combining quasi-static and reciprocal sliding experiments, we identify several contributions to adhesion and friction: junction formation, elastic deformation, rupture, and adhesive material transfer. Furthermore, we find correlations between the elastic deformation of PDMS/SiO2 junctions and their adhesion hysteresis on the one hand and the shear strength and the work of adhesion on the other.