Atomic-Scale Sliding Friction on Graphene in Water

The sliding of a sharp nanotip on graphene completely immersed in water is investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) and atomic force microscopy. MD simulations predict that the atomic-scale stick–slip is almost identical to that found in ultrahigh vacuum. Furthermore, they show that water plays a pur...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Vilhena, J. G., Pimentel, Carlos, Pedraz, Patricia, Luo, Feng, Serena, Pedro A., Pina, Carlos M., Gnecco, Enrico, Pérez, Rubén
Format: article
Status:Versión aceptada para publicación
Publication Date:2016
Country:España
Institution:Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Repository:DIGITAL.CSIC. Repositorio Institucional del CSIC
OAI Identifier:oai:digital.csic.es:10261/133070
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/133070
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Friction
Nanoscale
Friction in water
Friction force microscopy
Nanoasperity
Lattice resolution
Graphene
Molecular dynamics
Steered molecular dynamics
Vacuum
Water
Hydration layers
http://metadata.un.org/sdg/6
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Description
Summary:The sliding of a sharp nanotip on graphene completely immersed in water is investigated by molecular dynamics (MD) and atomic force microscopy. MD simulations predict that the atomic-scale stick–slip is almost identical to that found in ultrahigh vacuum. Furthermore, they show that water plays a purely stochastic role in sliding (solid-to-solid) friction. These observations are substantiated by friction measurements on graphene grown on Cu and Ni, where, oppositely of the operation in air, lattice resolution is readily achieved. Our results promote friction force microscopy in water as a robust alternative to ultra-high-vacuum measurements.