Friction properties of carbon nanoparticles (nanodiamond and nanoscroll) confined between DLC and a-SiO2 surfaces

WL Zhao and FL Duan, TRIBOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, 145, 106153 (2020).

DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2019.106153

Friction properties of carbon nanodiamond (CND) and nanoscroll (CNS formed from graphene patch wrapping around nanodiamond) were studied by nonequilibrium molecular dynamic simulation of sliding diamond-like carbon (DLC) over the nanoparticles supported by amorphous silica (a-SiO2) slabs. CNS reduces friction coefficient (COF) by 72% relative to CND and superlubricity (COF <= 0.01) is enabled by CNS, which agrees well with experimental observations. Due to the wrapping graphene patch, the DLC-CNS contact area is smaller than the DLC-CND contact area and the CNS motion is repressed. Contrary to the rolling motion of ball bearings at the macroscale, the repressed motion of nanoparticles reduces the system friction dissipation. These make CNS a more effective solid lubricant compared with CND.

Return to Publications page