Time Dependence of the Graphene Surface Adhesion Force of the Sphere–Plane Contact at Different Relative Humidities

Abstract

Graphene has a promising application prospect in integrated circuits and microelectromechanical systems, and sphere–plane contacts are their common contact types. At present, it is difficult to explain the time dependence of the adhesion force of the sphere–plane contact by conventional theory. Therefore, a single rough peak of sphere–plane contact adhesion force model based on variable water contact angle theory and Bradley contact theory was established; the aim is to reveal the changing law of graphene adhesion force. Then, the time dependence of the graphene surface adhesion force at different humidity levels was investigated by using an atomic force microscopy spherical probe. Finally, a quantitative comparative analysis of the theory and experiment was performed. The results show that the theoretical adhesion force was in good agreement with the experimental measurement results. The time dependence of graphene surface adhesion was not obvious within a relative humidity of 45–55%. When the relative humidity was greater than 65%, the graphene surface adhesion first increased and then decreased with dwell time and finally tended to be stable. Because of the increase in relative humidity, the capillary condensation effect increases, and then the adhesion force increases with the development of the meniscus. When the water film was generated on the sample surface, the adhesion force decreased until the meniscus achieved equilibrium