Robust ultra-low-friction state of graphene via moiré superlattice confinement

Xiaohu Zheng, Lei Gao, Quanzhou Yao, Qunyang Li (), Miao Zhang, Xiaoming Xie, Shan Qiao, Gang Wang, Tianbao Ma (), Zengfeng Di (), Jianbin Luo and Xi Wang
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Xiaohu Zheng: State Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Informatics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Lei Gao: State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Tsinghua University
Quanzhou Yao: AML, CNMM, Tsinghua University
Qunyang Li: State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Tsinghua University
Miao Zhang: State Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Informatics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Xiaoming Xie: State Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Informatics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shan Qiao: State Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Informatics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Gang Wang: State Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Informatics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Tianbao Ma: State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Tsinghua University
Zengfeng Di: State Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Informatics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jianbin Luo: State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Tsinghua University
Xi Wang: State Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Informatics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) materials possess outstanding lubrication property with their thicknesses down to a few atomic layers, but they are easily susceptible to sliding induced degradation or ubiquitous chemical modification. Maintaining the superior lubricating performance of 2D materials in a harsh working environment is highly desirable yet grandly challenging. Here we show that by proper alignment of graphene on a Ge(111) substrate, friction of graphene could be well preserved at an ultra-low level even after fluorination or oxidation. This behaviour is experimentally found to be closely related to the suppression of molecular-level deformation of graphene within the moiré superlattice structure. Atomistic simulations reveal that the formation of an interconnected meshwork with enhanced interfacial charge density imposes a strong anchoring effect on graphene even under chemical modification. Modulating molecular-level deformation by interfacial confinements may offer a unique strategy for tuning the mechanical or even chemical properties of 2D materials.

Date: 2016
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13204

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