Microtribological properties of a novel C60-containing self-assembled film

Abstract

Using the self-assembly technique, we have fabricated a novel, ternary-component ultra-thin film based on rigid C₆₀ molecules and soft poly(acrylic acid) chains through electrostatic attractions with diazoresin. Under UV irradiation, the film is linked by covalent bonds, following the decomposition of diazonium, and shows good stability, contrasting with ionic bond linkages. Using AFM/FFM, the microtribological properties of the ternary film were investigated. Because of the inclusion of rigid molecules and soft polymer chains having a covalent linkage, the film shows not only good load-bearing, but also low friction, properties.