Abstract
Recent studies have reported that adding nanoparticles to graphene enables macroscale superlubricity to be achieved. This study focuses on the role of nanoparticles in achieving superlubricity. First, because graphene nanoscrolls can be formed with nanoparticles as seeds under shear force, the applied load (or shear force) is adjusted to manipulate the formation of graphene nanoscrolls and to reveal the relationship between graphene-nanoscroll formation and superlubricating performance. Second, the load-carrying role of spherical nano-SiO2 particles during the friction process is verified by comparison with an elaborately designed fullerene that possesses a hollow-structured graphene nanoscroll. Results indicate that the incorporated nano-SiO2 particles have two roles in promoting the formation of graphene nanoscrolls and exhibiting load-carrying capacity to support macroscale forces for achieving macroscale superlubricity. Finally, macroscale superlubricity (friction coefficient: 0.006–0.008) can be achieved under a properly tuned applied load (2.0 N) using a simple material system in which a graphene/nano-SiO2 particle composite coating slides against a steel counterpart ball without a decorated diamond-like carbon film. The approach described in this study could be of significance in engineering.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51775537) and Youth Innovation Promotion Association of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. Y202084) for financial support.
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Panpan LI. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (LICP, CAS). She joined in the Wear and Surface Engineering Research Group at LICP, CAS in 2016. Now, her ongoing research focuses on the macroscale lubrication mechanism of graphene and other 2D materials.
Li JI. He is a researcher and a doctoral supervisor at LICP, CAS. In 2009, he obtained his Ph.D. degree from LICP, CAS. His research areas include lubricating mechanism of low-dimensional materials, application research of physical vapor deposition (PVD) solid lubrication, wear-resistance, and protective film/coating materials.
Hongxuan LI. He is a researcher and a doctoral supervisor at LICP, CAS. In 2005, he obtained his Ph.D. degree from LICP, CAS. He is a deputy director of the Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Wear and Protection of Materials. His research areas cover the high-tech application research work of high-performance lubrication, wear-resistance, and protective surface engineering new materials and technologies.
Lei CHEN. He is a researcher and a doctoral supervisor at LICP, CAS. In 2006, he obtained his Ph.D. degree from LICP, CAS. His research interests include special adhesives and functional coating materials.
Xiaohong LIU. She is an associate researcher and a master supervisor at LICP, CAS. In 2006, she obtained her Ph.D. degree from LICP, CAS. Her research areas cover basic and application research of solid lubrication, wear-resistance, and protective film/coating materials.
Huidi ZHOU. She is a researcher and a master supervisor at LICP, CAS. She is the leader of the Wear and Surface Engineering Research Group. Her research areas include the application of lubrication, wear-resistance, and thermal protection coatings.
Jianmin CHEN. He is a researcher and a doctoral supervisor at LICP, CAS. He is the director of the Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Wear and Protection of Materials. His research areas cover the high-tech engineering lubricating and wear-resistant film, and protective surface materials and technologies.
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Li, P., Ji, L., Li, H. et al. Role of nanoparticles in achieving macroscale superlubricity of graphene/nano-SiO2 particle composites. Friction 10, 1305–1316 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-021-0532-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-021-0532-2