Localized Quantitative Characterization of Chemical Functionalization Effects on Adhesion Properties of SWNT

Figure 1

A typical force versus distance curve (the tip approaching portion of the curve was not plotted for clarity). This curve contains three parts: the disengaged area, where the AFM tip and the sample are not in contact; the contact area, where the tip and the sample are in contact; the breaking point, where the contact between the tip and the sample is just about to break.