The presence or absence of unsaturation in the carbon chain of carboxylic acids was examined on the friction response of boundary films according to normal force. Friction laws were established as a function of the normal force at the nanoscale with a molecular tribometer derived from a surface force apparatus. While the shear plane is mainly composed of methyl groups in all the cases investigated, the molecular organization differs within the shear plane, as suggested by the simultaneous film thickness evolution. This gave rise to dissipation modes within the interface, resulting in a wide range of shear stress levels and dependence with contact pressure. The friction laws were discussed, highlighting the combined role of nanometric surface roughness and molecule unsaturation. Special issue dedicated to the Memory of Mark Robbins.
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