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Macroscale, humidity-insensitive, and stable structural superlubricity achieved with hydrogen-free graphene nanoflakes

Author

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  • Ruiyun Li

    (Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen)

  • Xing Yang

    (Chinese Academy of Science)

  • Jiacheng Li

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Yongfu Wang

    (Chinese Academy of Science)

  • Ming Ma

    (Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen
    Tsinghua University)

Abstract

Achieving solid superlubricity in high-humidity environments is of great practical importance yet remains challenging nowadays, due to the complex physicochemical roles of water and concomitant oxidation on solid surfaces. Here we report a facile way to access humidity-insensitive solid superlubricity (coefficient of friction 0.0035) without detectable wear and running-in at a humidity range of 2–80%. Inspired by the concept of structural superlubricity, this is achieved between Au-capped microscale graphite flake and graphene nanoflake-covered hydrogen-free amorphous carbon (GNC a-C). Such GNC a-C exhibits reduced pinning effects of water molecules and weak oxidation, which demonstrates stable structural superlubricity even after air exposure of the surfaces for 365 days. The manufacturability of such design enables the macroscopic scale-up of structural superlubricity, achieving the leap from 4 μm × 4 μm contact to 3 mm ball-supported contact with a wide range of materials. Our results suggest a strategy for the macroscale application of structural superlubricity under ambient condition.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruiyun Li & Xing Yang & Jiacheng Li & Yongfu Wang & Ming Ma, 2024. "Macroscale, humidity-insensitive, and stable structural superlubricity achieved with hydrogen-free graphene nanoflakes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-53462-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53462-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Charalampos Androulidakis & Emmanuel N. Koukaras & George Paterakis & George Trakakis & Costas Galiotis, 2020. "Tunable macroscale structural superlubricity in two-layer graphene via strain engineering," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Oded Hod & Ernst Meyer & Quanshui Zheng & Michael Urbakh, 2018. "Structural superlubricity and ultralow friction across the length scales," Nature, Nature, vol. 563(7732), pages 485-492, November.
    3. Wei Feng & Lu Yao & Chiara Cornelio & Rodrigo Gomila & Shengli Ma & Chaoqun Yang & Luigi Germinario & Claudio Mazzoli & Giulio Di Toro, 2023. "Physical state of water controls friction of gabbro-built faults," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Caishan Yan & Hsuan-Yi Chen & Pik-Yin Lai & Penger Tong, 2023. "Statistical laws of stick-slip friction at mesoscale," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
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