Nanotribology of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) in the presence of electric field

Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) is one of the most widely used piezoelectric materials in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) due to its excellent properties. Its applications range from biological to electric devices, such as an artificial hip joint, a microgripper, and a force sensor. It is critical to understand friction, adhesion, and wear mechanisms of this material. In this study, effect of piezoelectricity and lubricant with electric field on tribological properties was investigated, using poled and unpoled PVDF. To understand the tribological properties at nano- and macro-scales, scale effect was also studied using an AFM and a tribometer. Relevant mechanisms are discussed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.