Facilitation of sp2 nanocrystallites on the formation of transfer films for stable low friction with in-situ TEM nanofriction study

Abstract

We reported that the sp2 nanocrystallites facilitated the formation of transfer film for stable low friction with the in-situ TEM nanofriction tests. The sp2 nanocrystallited carbon film showed decreased friction coefficient and stabilized the sliding process. The mechanism was ascribed to the sp2 nanocrystallites lay down, paralleled to the sliding direction and sheared under the compressive and shear stresses. As the contrasts of different nanostructure effects, monocrystalline silicon is hard to form lamella structure and the amorphous carbon film needs high stress and longer sliding distance to form transfer film. This work shed lights on the application of sp2 nanocrystallited carbon films in micro and nano devices for reducing the energy consumption.