Graphene and diamonds work together to achieve macro-scale superlubricity

Scientists at the US-based Argonne National Laboratory demonstrated a method that reduces friction between two surfaces to almost zero on macroscopic scales, achieving superlubricity. It as done by combining nanodiamonds with sheets of graphene, which curl around the nanodiamonds to form ‘nanoscrolls’ that lubricate the two surfaces. As friction is the cause of massive energy waste in various devices, this discovery can be hugely beneficial for saving energy and money in a multitude of fields.

Superlubricity required two perfectly flat surfaces with incompatible crystal structures to slide past each other. It has only been detected in extremely small samples, however, as larger surfaces have imperfections that tend to get stuck as they slide. This is why creating superlubricity in a large sample is so unique.