Open AccessSingle layer graphene induces load-bearing molecular layering at the hexadecane-steel interface
Author(s) -
Günther Krämer,
C. Kim,
K. S. Kim,
Roland Bennewitz
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
nanotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.926
H-Index - 203
eISSN - 1361-6528
pISSN - 0957-4484
DOI - 10.1088/1361-6528/ab3cab
Subject(s) - materials science , graphene , lubricant , hexadecane , substrate (aquarium) , layer (electronics) , nanometre , composite material , adsorption , nanoscopic scale , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , chemistry , oceanography , geology
The influence of a single layer graphene on the interface between a polished steel surface and the model lubricant hexadecane is explored by high-resolution force microscopy. Nanometer-scale friction is reduced by a factor of three on graphene compared to the steel substrate, with an ordered layer of hexadecane adsorbed on the graphene. Graphene furthermore induces a molecular ordering in the confined lubricant with an average range of 4–5 layers and with a strongly increased load-bearing capacity compared to the lubricant on the bare steel substrate.