A scanning force microscope study of detachment of nanometer-sized particles from glass surfaces

The nominal shear stress required to detach nanometer-scale, single-crystal salt particles from a soda lime glass substrate is a strong function of particle size and relative humidity. We use the tip of an atomic force microscope to detach these particles from a glass substrate under controlled atmospheres of known humidity. The peak lateral force at detachment was divided by the nominal particle area to yield an effective interfacial shear strength. We describe the variation of shear strength with particle area and humidity in terms of detachment by chemically assisted crack growth along the salt-glass interface.