Simulation of frictional interaction of graphene layers

Graphene has shown potential in solid lubrication through its novel properties of separating materials that are moving relative to one another. The purpose of this research is to understand solid lubrication. Graphene is a single layer (monolayer) of Carbon atoms. By stacking layers, we gain the advantage of letting graphene layers slide against one another instead of two materials contacting each other directly if there had only been one. By simulating the effects of friction and velocity placed upon the layers of graphene sheets on top of one another, our research helps in designing more durable monolayers of graphene that can be in designed for applications such as gears and car engines. We are currently using Matlab to create varying lengths of graphene sheets and then simulating their movement and interaction using LAMMPS Molecular Dynamics Simulator. From this data we can find a multitude of information – the height- height correlation, a 3D representation of the sheet, and RMS of the sheet to name a few. The results thus far are proving that graphene can withstand the frictional forces at any random velocity forced unto it, but stacked layer movement must now considered as it is sensible to think the graphene layer will move with the material pushing on it.