Clumping Criteria of Vertical Nanofibers on Surfaces
Abstract
The side–side, side–tip, and tip–tip clumping of nanofibers, including nanowires and nanotubes on surfaces, is a common problem that can diminish their optical, electrical, and mechanical performance. However, these different clumping configurations brought much complexity and confused researchers to predict or design the desired clumping or nonclumping. In this study, a universal model in the unified formula for the critical clumping criteria for three contact geometries of nanofiber arrays is derived in terms of two‐dimensionless geometric and mechanical parameters, based on the length, radius, spacing, Young's modulus, and adhesion energy of the nanofibers. The model provides an easy way to predict the sequences of the three clumping configurations, which are successfully verified by analyzing various clumping structures reported in the literatures. This study provides new insights into, and methods for, designing nanofiber arrays on surfaces to achieve desired clumping or nonclumping structures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Feb 20, 2015
- Source ID
- 10.1002/admi.201400466
Entities
People
- Hongbo Zeng
- Jacob Israelachvili
- Ming Zhou
- Noshir Pesika
- Yu Tian
Organizations
- National Natural Science Foundation of China
- Program 973
- The Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies
- Tsinghua University
- Tulane University of Louisiana
- University of Alberta
- University of California