Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2025
13:56
Probe Type II Band Alignment in One-Dimensional Van Der Waals Heterostructures Using First-Principles Calculations
Published on: October 12, 2019
7.6K
Revealing the Interlayer Interaction Forces in 2D Graphene Materials by Graphene-Wrapped Nanoprobe
Liang Cao1,2,3, Ri Liu1,2,3, Dongdong Liu1,2,3
1International Research Centre for Nano Handling and Manufacturing of China, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|September 27, 2024
Summary
This study introduces a novel method to measure normal and tangential interlayer forces between 2D materials like graphene. Graphene-graphene contacts exhibit exceptionally low adhesion and friction, crucial for microelectromechanical systems.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Surface Science
Background:
- Interlayer interactions in 2D layered materials are vital for nanoscale device fabrication.
- Simultaneous measurement of normal and tangential interlayer forces in 2D materials remains challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply a novel method for measuring both normal and tangential interlayer interactions between 2D graphene materials.
- To systematically investigate the adhesion and friction properties of different graphene-based contact pairs.
Main Methods:
- An immersion and lift-up technique was employed to coat atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoprobe tips with graphene flakes.
- AFM was utilized to measure normal interactions (adhesion force, adhesion energy) and tangential interactions (friction force).
- Experiments were conducted using Pt-coated and graphene-wrapped probes against graphene and graphene oxide (GO) surfaces.
Main Results:
- Adhesion energies varied: Pt-GO (0.72 J m⁻²), Pt-graphene (0.41 J m⁻²), graphene-GO (0.19 J m⁻²), and graphene-graphene (0.10 J m⁻²).
- The graphene-graphene pair demonstrated the lowest adhesion force (5.57 nN) and energy, attributed to covalent bonds and charge distribution.
- Friction coefficients were measured: Pt-GO (0.38), graphene-GO (0.14), Pt-graphene (0.054), and graphene-graphene (0.013).
- Graphene-graphene contacts achieved a sustained superlow friction state due to incommensurate contact and weak van der Waals forces.
Conclusions:
- The developed AFM-based method effectively quantifies normal and tangential interlayer forces in 2D materials.
- Graphene-graphene interfaces exhibit unique low adhesion and superlow friction properties.
- Findings offer insights for designing advanced microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) utilizing 2D materials.
