Direct Measurement of the Adhesion and Friction of Smooth C60 Surfaces

Buckminsterfullerene, C{sub 60}, has unique molecular structure which leads to unusual physical and chemical properties. Using a surface forces apparatus, the static adhesion and dynamic friction forces between two smooth crystalline surfaces was measured. The results and analysis suggest that C{sub 60} molecules interact more as macroscopic particles than as conventional molecules. 39 refs., 6 figs.