Experimental Adhesion Energy in van der Waals Crystals and Heterostructures from Atomically Thin Bubbles
Elena Blundo, Tanju Yildirim, Giorgio Pettinari, A. Polimeni
Abstract
The formation of gas-filled bubbles on the surface of van der Waals crystals provides an ideal platform whereby the interplay of the elastic parameters and interlayer forces can be suitably investigated. Here, we combine experimental and numerical efforts to study the morphology of the bubbles at equilibrium and highlight unexpected behaviors that contrast with the common assumptions. We exploit such observations to develop an accurate analytical model to describe the shape and strain of the bubbles and exploit it to measure the adhesion energy between a variety of van der Waals crystals, showing sizable material-dependent trends.
Topics & Concepts
van der Waals forceAdhesionMaterials scienceVan der Waals radiusVan der Waals surfaceChemical physicsSurface energySoap bubbleVan der Waals equationNanotechnologyMechanicsPhysicsMoleculeComposite materialQuantum mechanicsGraphene research and applications2D Materials and ApplicationsMXene and MAX Phase Materials