Graphene as solid lubricant vertically buried into iron contact surface by annealing for superlubricity

The paper uses molecular dynamics simulations to investigate lubrication of graphene for the iron contacts. The graphene sheets are vertically buried into the iron surface by the annealing of melting and cooling it. The friction detection is carried out in various conditions as dependence of friction on the number of the graphene sheets buried on the surface, graphene combined with only the substrate or both of the contacting surfaces, pressure, temperature and sliding velocity. We find that by using this annealing the graphene sheets are tightly held on the contacting surfaces during the sliding. This makes graphene inside the contacts to stably maintain its lubricity. The friction coefficient has the superlow values or the superlubricity one of 0.006. [Display omitted] •By the annealing, graphene sheets can be vertically buried into iron surface.•Graphene is tightly held on the contacting iron surfaces and stably maintain its lubricity.•Friction coefficient has superlow values or superlubricity ones of 0.01 and 0.006.•Friction shows significant discrepancy as graphene is combined with only one or both of the contact surfaces.