Interactions of carbon-nanotubule proximal probe tips with diamond and graphene

Interactions between proximal probe tips composed of carbon nanotubules (CNTs) and diamond and graphene surfaces are investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. The simulations reveal the mechanisms of buckling, bending, slipping, and elastic recovery of the CNT tips on these surfaces and suggest that they will not wear out when crashed as conventional tips often do unless the surface is highly reactive. The simulations also show how the deformation mechanism changes as a function of tubule length and the effect of these changes on the buckling force is discussed quantitatively.