Effects of Elastic Deformation and Corrugation Potential on Friction of Suspended Graphene

Abstract

In this paper, based on molecular dynamics simulation method, the authors construct a graphene flake sliding on a suspended graphene layer which is anchored on a bed of springs. This graphene-spring system provides an ideal model to replace the multilayer graphene under the top layer. We firstly mimic different layers of suspended graphene through changing the stiffness of spring bed; then the contributions of Van der Waals force of the tip and elastic deformation of the top layer supported by spring bed to friction force are analyzed; finally, an energy dissipation mechanism based on the amount of corrugation potential energy and sample deformation elastic energy is proposed. It is demonstrated that the effects of energy barrier and surface compliance are directly related to the observed friction force. It is helpful to achieve a theoretical basis for the design of graphene-based nano electromechanical systems (NEMS) devices.