Layer-dependent friction on the surface of alternately stacked graphene and h-BN

The lubricating performance of the alternately stacked graphene and h-BN as coating film has been studied by performing the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Our results indicate that incorporating graphene enhances the lubrication of h-BN. Particularly, the multilayer alternately stacked graphene and h-BN with graphene as the surface (mGBN_G) exhibits superior lubricating properties compared with graphene and h-BN. The friction coefficient on the surface of mGBN_G displays a non-monotonic change as the increase of layer number, mainly attributing to wrinkling and indentation generated by the pressure from the tip. The friction coefficient of 6GBN_G reaches a minimum value of 0.002 under load of 180 nN. Under loads larger than 180 nN, mGBN_G exhibits a lower friction coefficient compared with mG.