Tribo-electrochemical surface modification of tantalum using in situ AFM techniques.

A scanning-probe-based technique to observe tribo-electrochemically stimulated surface was demonstrated. The configuration consists of an electrochemical cell attached to an atomic force microscope (AFM) scanner. Under an applied electrical potential and in various chemical environments, the surface morphology, roughness, skew, bearing ratio, as well as surface adhesive forces between probes were measured, and the effects of mechano-electrochemical stimuli were evaluated. The effects of mechanical, electrochemical, and mechano-electrochemical stimuli were found to compete during AFM sliding process. Their effects do not follow a linear relationship, implying that the mechanical stimulus promotes electrochemical reactions. Similarly, electrochemically enhanced mechanical removal of surface materials is possible.