Robust microscale superlubricity in graphite/hexagonal boron nitride layered heterojunctions
Source abstract
Abstract
Structural superlubricity is a fascinating tribological phenomenon, in which the lateral interactions between two incommensurate contacting surfaces are effectively cancelled resulting in ultralow sliding friction. Here we report the experimental realization of robust superlubricity in microscale monocrystalline heterojunctions, which constitutes an important step towards the macroscopic scale-up of superlubricity. The results for interfaces between graphite and hexagonal boron nitride clearly demonstrate that structural superlubricity persists even when the aligned contact sustains external loads under ambient conditions. The observed frictional anisotropy in the heterojunctions is found to be orders of magnitude smaller than that measured for their homogeneous counterparts. Atomistic simulations reveal that the underlying frictional mechanisms in the two cases originate from completely different dynamical regimes. Our results are expected to be of a general nature and should be applicable to other van der Waals heterostructures.
Source: europepmc · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications · Diamond and Carbon-based Materials Research · Graphene research and applications
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (49)
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