Production of ZnO Nanobelts and Meso-Scale Study of Mechanical Properties

We investigate a peculiar phenomenon by processing ZnO nanobelts with an atomic force microscope (AFM). In the contact mode of AFM, peculiar bending occurs in meso-scale when the nanobelt is applied with force in lateral direction. We study the mechanical properties of ZnO nanobelts under the influence of small size effect, with finite element analysis and mathematical analysis by means of Matlab. Based on this abnormal effect, a novel measuring method is proposed, which allows the surface morphology and surface properties to be characterized at the same time.