Investigation on the Velocity-Dependent Adhesion Hysteresis via Molecular Dynamics Simulation

Adhesion plays an important role in miniaturized devices and technologies, which depends not only on indentation depth but also on the history of contact making and breaking, giving rise to adhesion hysteresis. In the present work, adhesion hysteresis has been investigated via molecular dynamics simulations on approaching and retracting a rigid tip to and from a substrate. The results show that hysteresis in the force–displacement curve that depends on approaching and retraction velocities arises under both elastic and plastic deformation. The underlying mechanisms have been analyzed. The implications of the results in friction have been discussed briefly.