2019, Krämer, G., Kim, C., Kim, K.-S., Bennewitz, R.

The influence of a single layer graphene on the interface between a polished steel surface and the model lubricant hexadecane is explored by high-resolution force microscopy. Nanometer-scale friction is reduced by a factor of three on graphene compared to the steel substrate, with an ordered layer of hexadecane adsorbed on the graphene. Graphene furthermore induces a molecular ordering in the confined lubricant with an average range of 4-5 layers and with a strongly increased load-bearing capacity compared to the lubricant on the bare steel substrate. © 2019 IOP Publishing Ltd.