Beilstein J. Nanotechnol.2011,2, 59–65, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.8
between the cleavage planes of various vanadium oxide Magnéliphases (n = 3 … 7) and spherical titanium atomic force microscope (AFM) tips by systematic force–distance measurements with a variable-temperature AFM under ultrahigh vacuum conditions (UHV). The results show, for all investigated samples, that
crossing the transition temperatures leads to a distinct change of the adhesion force. Low adhesion corresponds consistently to the metallic state. Accordingly, the ability to modify the electronic structure of the vanadium Magnéliphases while maintaining composition, stoichiometry and crystallographic
integrity, allows for relating frictional and electronic material properties at the nano scale. This behavior makes the vanadium Magnéliphases interesting candidates for technology, e.g., as intelligent devices or coatings where switching of adhesion or friction is desired.
Keywords: adhesion force
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Figure 1:
Metal–insulator transition (MIT) temperatures of the investigated Magnéli-type vanadium oxide cryst...