Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 26, 2025

Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilever-Based Nanoindentation: Mechanical Property Measurements at the Nanoscale in Air and Fluid
Published on: December 2, 2022
Influence of elastic property on the friction between atomic force microscope tips and 2D materials
Xiang Zhou1, Yuanshuang Liu1, Xiangmin Hu1
1State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China.
None:
The relationship between the elastic property of solid materials and friction has been discussed and studied by theoretical calculation and analysis. In the present work, we perform an experimental study concerning this relationship. Atomic force microscope (AFM) scanning of four different transition metal dichalcogenides is conducted under different experimental conditions. It is found that materials with smaller vertical interlayer force constant, which also means smaller elasticity modulus, have larger friction. We attribute this phenomenon to larger elastic deformation in softer materials, which results in a larger obstacle to the motion of AFM tips.
Related Concept Videos
Frictional Force
Atomic Force Microscopy
The AFM Probe
The probe is regarded as the heart of any AFM setup and comprises the...
Characteristics of Dry Friction
Before the wheelbarrow starts moving, the static frictional force acts tangentially to the contact surface, opposing the force that is about to induce the motion. This frictional force prevents the...
Dry Friction
To illustrate this concept, imagine a wooden crate resting on a rough, non-uniform horizontal surface. When an external force is applied to...
Static Friction
For example, consider a scenario where a truck is connected to a car by a rope, ready to tow it along a road. When no external force is applied by the truck, the car remains stationary and is said to be in static equilibrium. In this case, the forces acting on the car, such as gravity and the...
Static and Kinetic Frictional Force
However, if two systems are in contact and are stationary relative to one...

