Graphene, a two-dimensional form of carbon, can be used to reduce friction between two materials, is exceptionally wear-resistant and is able to work in a broader range of environments, said a study from nanoscientist Anirudha Sumant and his colleagues from the Argonne Center for Nanoscale Materials and Argonne Energy Systems division.

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The team of researchers applied a one-atom-thick layer of graphene in between a steel disk and a steel ball. They found the solitary layer of the substance lasted over 6,500 "wear cycles," a significant improvement over common lubricants such as molybdenum disulfide or graphite.

"For comparison, conventional lubricants would need about 1,000 layers to last for 1,000 wear cycles," Sumant said. "That's a huge advantage in terms of cost savings with much better performance."

While graphite has been used over 40 years as an industrial lubricant, it's not without its drawbacks, the nanoscientist added.

"Graphite is limited by the fact that it really works only in humid environments," he said. "If you have a dry setting, it's not going to be nearly as effective."

The limitation stems from the fact graphite has a three-dimensional figure, unlike the flat graphene. By weaving themselves in between the carbon sheets of graphite, water molecules in the air generate slipperiness.

If there's an inadequate amount of water vapor in the air, the material loses its slick property.

Another lubricant, however, has the opposite problem, Sumant said. Molybdenum disulfide does not perform well in wet environments, but shines in dry ones.

"Essentially the challenge is to find a single all-purpose lubricant that works well for mechanical systems, no matter where they are," he said.

The two-dimensional structure of graphene gives it a significant advantage.

The material is able to bond directly to the surface of the stainless steel ball, making it so perfectly even that even hydrogen atoms aren't able to penetrate it. 

TagsGraphene, Industrial lubricant, Lubricant, Nanoscience, Molecular structure, Graphite, Molybdenum disulfide