Microscopic friction mechanisms of graphene layers with overlapping boundaries coated on metal surfaces

LJ Li and QQ Cao and Y Yang and HL Chen and JW Li and ZQ Gu and Y Lyu, COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS, 714, 136502 (2025).

DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.136502

Effects of graphene step edges on the friction behavior and morphological evolution of the underlying metal are investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. The contact between boundary atoms owing to interfacial slippage induces formation of C-C bonds accordingly creating a wrinkle which migrates with the scratching motion. The removed material is collected in the wrinkle thereby forming the pile-up to release stress. The increase of the overlapping width significantly improves interfacial friction at deep indentation. The dislocation at the overlapping boundaries is decreased due to material accumulation in the wrinkle. This study could help in understanding mechanisms of friction and plastic deformation of graphene-coated metal at step edges and further offer some guidance in graphene coating applications.

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