Frictional Figures of Merit for Single Layered Nanostructures

S. Cahangirov, C. Ataca, M. Topsakal, H. Sahin, and S. Ciraci
Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 126103 – Published 21 March 2012
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Abstract

We determine the frictional figures of merit for a pair of layered honeycomb nanostructures, such as graphane, fluorographene, MoS2 and WO2 moving over each other, by carrying out ab initio calculations of interlayer interaction under constant loading force. Using the Prandtl-Tomlinson model we derive the critical stiffness required to avoid stick-slip behavior. We show that these layered structures have low critical stiffness even under high loading forces due to their charged surfaces repelling each other. The intrinsic stiffness of these materials exceeds critical stiffness and thereby the materials avoid the stick-slip regime and attain nearly dissipationless continuous sliding. Remarkably, tungsten dioxide displays a much better performance relative to others and heralds a potential superlubricant. The absence of mechanical instabilities leading to conservative lateral forces is also confirmed directly by the simulations of sliding layers.

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  • Received 21 November 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.126103

© 2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

S. Cahangirov1,2, C. Ataca1,2,3, M. Topsakal1,2, H. Sahin1,2, and S. Ciraci1,2,3,*

  • 1UNAM-National Nanotechnology Research Center, Bilkent University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey
  • 2Institute of Materials Science and Nanotechnology, Bilkent University, Ankara 06800, Turkey
  • 3Department of Physics, Bilkent University, Ankara 06800, Turkey

  • *ciraci@fen.bilkent.edu.tr

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Issue

Vol. 108, Iss. 12 — 23 March 2012

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