J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2024, Vol. 196: 125-136.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2023.12.080

Special Issue: Graphene 2024 Modeling, computation, and simulation 2024

• Reserch Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of moiré lattice distortion and π bond on the superlubricity of twist MoS2/graphene and MoS2/BN heterointerfaces

Peixuan Lia, William Yi Wanga,b,*, Xudong Suic, Xiaoli Fana,d, Jinshan Lia,b,*   

  1. aState Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing, School of Material Science and Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China;
    bInnovation Centre, NPU Chongqing, Chongqing 401135, China;
    cState Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Lanzhou 730000, China;
    dCentre of Advanced Lubrication and Seal Materials, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
  • Received:2023-09-14 Revised:2023-11-18 Accepted:2023-12-05 Published:2024-10-10 Online:2024-03-05
  • Contact: * E-mail addresses: wywang@nwpu.edu.cn (W.Y. Wang), ljsh@nwpu.edu.cn (J. Li).

Abstract: Superlubricity, a novel lubricity mode ascribing to moiré superlattice (MSL), has attracted attention in ultra-precise manufacture, microelectronic devices, and national defense areas. Based on incommensurate MSL, nearly zero friction can be achieved by eliminating sliding lock-in and offsetting lateral force in principle, and the theoretical foundations are still under extensive investigation. Here, the effects of MSL-induced lattice distortion on π bond and tribological performance in twist MoS2/graphene and MoS2/BN heterointerfaces were studied by first-principles calculations comprehensively. Various contributions of 2pz orbital electron polarization among AA-, AB-, and AC-stacking symmetry areas in different MSL were reflected by band structures to explain the sensitivity of π bond to MSL. The π bond perpendicular to the atomic plane depended closely on interfacial distortion, which can not only influence the local distribution of intralayer bond strength but also determine the interlayer charge redistribution. Meanwhile, the interfacial potential energy was changed with the interlayer interaction fluctuation caused by twist angle and atomic stacking modes. Through evaluating the energy barriers and lateral force, MoS2/BN with a twist angle of 20.79° exhibited superlubricity. Moreover, the connection among sliding energy barriers, twist angles, and specific electronic structures has been bridged paving a path to reveal the superlubricity mechanism of two-dimensional materials with π bond.

Key words: Moiré, superlattice, Superlubricity, DFT, Band structure, Heterointerfaces, Two-dimensional materials