The Effect of Channelling a Polymeric Surface on Its Adhesion and Friction Characteristics

In recent years, a new approach towards enhancing tribological properties at small-scale by the fabrication of nano/micro-scale polymeric patterns using soft lithography has gained popularity. These patterned surfaces provide promising solutions to the tribological issues in small-scale devices such as micro/nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS). In the present study, we investigate the nano-scale tribological properties of a novel topography, namely submicrometer-scale channels fabricated on thin polymeric films using a soft lithographic technique. Results show that these surfaces have superior nano-tribological properties, as they reduce adhesion and friction forces to a significant extent when compared to silicon wafer and non-patterned polymeric thin film.