C₆₀ Intercalated Graphite as Nanolubricants

We synthesized the novel nanocomposite consisting of alternately stacked single graphene sheets and a C₆₀ monolayer by using the graphite intercalation technique in which alkylamine molecules help intercalate large C₆₀ molecules into the graphite. It is found that the intercalated C₆₀ molecules can rotate in between single graphene sheets by using ¹³C NMR measurements. The grease with the nanocomposite materials provides a much better lubricating performance than that with other additives that have been well-known up to now. This result exhibits that a C₆₀ monolayer intercalated between graphenes plays an important role in lubricating behavior.