Friction force measurements on potential controlled graphite in an electrolytic environment

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Abstract
The authors show the simultaneous recording of normal and lateral forces arising in scanning force and friction microscopy on a potential controlled sample immersed in aqueous electrolyte. As a liquid film is present on virtually all solid surfaces under ambient conditions, it is important to control the properties of the solid/liquid interface. In order to obtain reliable information on the friction behaviour of such a surface, a set-up for potentiostatic control of the sample was established. Experiments have been carried out with a stand-alone scanning force and friction microscope (SFFM), combined with an electrochemical cell providing potential control of the sample. First results of simultaneous normal and friction force measurements, obtained on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) immersed in NaClO4, demonstrate the promising potential of the method.