The wear processes of gold coated multi-walled carbon nanotube surfaces used as electrical contacts for micro-electro-mechanical switching
The wear processes of gold coated multi-walled carbon nanotube surfaces used as electrical contacts for micro-electro-mechanical switching
An experimental investigation of gold coated, multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) surfaces was previously conducted, to determine the limits as electrical contacts. The results are summarized. The multi-walled CNT's (MWCNT's) were synthesized on a silicon planar and sputter coated with a gold film. The planar surfaces mounted on the tip of a piezo-electric actuator and mated with a coated Au hemispherical probe. The conditions typical of MEMS relay applications; (4 V, 1-10 mA) with an applied force of 1 mN. No failures were observed below, 10 × 106 cycles; to determine the limits, the current level was increased in stages to 50 mA. At 20 mA, the contacts were deemed to have failed due to an increased contact resistance at 70 × 106 cycles. In this paper the failure mechanism is described as a fine transfer mechanism linked to the thermodynamic processes at the contact interface as the contacts open, known as molten metal bridge transfer.
carbon nanotube surfaces, mems switching surfaces, carbon nanotube, composites
357-361
McBride, J.W.
d9429c29-9361-4747-9ba3-376297cb8770
1 December 2010
McBride, J.W.
d9429c29-9361-4747-9ba3-376297cb8770
McBride, J.W.
(2010)
The wear processes of gold coated multi-walled carbon nanotube surfaces used as electrical contacts for micro-electro-mechanical switching.
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Letters, 2 (4), .
(doi:10.1166/nnl.2010.1109).
Abstract
An experimental investigation of gold coated, multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) surfaces was previously conducted, to determine the limits as electrical contacts. The results are summarized. The multi-walled CNT's (MWCNT's) were synthesized on a silicon planar and sputter coated with a gold film. The planar surfaces mounted on the tip of a piezo-electric actuator and mated with a coated Au hemispherical probe. The conditions typical of MEMS relay applications; (4 V, 1-10 mA) with an applied force of 1 mN. No failures were observed below, 10 × 106 cycles; to determine the limits, the current level was increased in stages to 50 mA. At 20 mA, the contacts were deemed to have failed due to an increased contact resistance at 70 × 106 cycles. In this paper the failure mechanism is described as a fine transfer mechanism linked to the thermodynamic processes at the contact interface as the contacts open, known as molten metal bridge transfer.
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Published date: 1 December 2010
Keywords:
carbon nanotube surfaces, mems switching surfaces, carbon nanotube, composites
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Local EPrints ID: 191611
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/191611
ISSN: 1941-4900
PURE UUID: 802cac8c-a068-45ee-83b0-871781c24321
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Date deposited: 22 Jun 2011 14:46
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:39
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