Nanomaterials in Superlubricity

Abstract The vanishing friction, known as superlubricity, is potentially a significant performance indicator in the development of nanostructured materials and has become increasingly important for realizing energy saving and extending the life of mechanical components. Herein, a systematic review of recent progress in nanomaterials for achieving the superlubric state is provided, beginning with a brief introduction of nanostructured materials in superlubricity and its wide potential applications. Subsequently, a detailed discussion of experimental and simulation works on the different spatial structures of nanomaterials associated with size effects ranging from 0D to 3D nanostructures is given, with an emphasis on solid and liquid superlubricity. Finally, this work concludes with perspectives on the challenges and future directions for developing nanomaterials in the field of superlubricity.