Interlayer Sliding Force of Individual Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes

We have successfully measured the sliding force for an interlayer of individual multiwall carbon nanotubes using a combination of a well-controlled electrical breakdown process and a manipulation process using a scanning electron microscope. A sliding force of ∼4 nN for an inner layer diameter of 5 nm is maintained constant during a sliding process. This result agrees well not only with the theoretical calculation based on the van der Waals interaction of the interlayer but also with the molecular mechanics calculations for double-walled nanotubes using an empirical potential. These agreements also indicate that the layered structure exhibits ideal characteristics even after the electrical breakdown process.