Abstract
With the development of surface and interface science and technology, methods for the online modulation of interfacial performance by external stimuli are in high demand. Switching between ultra-low and high friction states is a particular goal owing to its applicability to the development of precision machines and nano/micro-electromechanical systems. In this study, reversible switching between superlubricity and high friction is realized by controlling the electric potential of a gold surface in aqueous salt solution sliding against a SiO2 microsphere. Applying positive potential results creates an ice-like water layer with high hydrogen bonding and adhesion at the interface, leading to nonlinear high friction. However, applying negative potential results in free water on the gold surface and negligible adhesion at the interface, causing linear ultra-low friction (friction coefficient of about 0.004, superlubricity state). A quantitative description of how the external load and interfacial adhesion affected friction force was developed, which agrees well with the experimental results. Thus, this work quantitatively reveals the mechanism of potential-controlled switching between superlubricity and high-friction states. Controlling the interfacial behavior via the electric potential could inspire novel design strategies for nano/micro-electromechanical and nano/micro-fluidic systems.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51901112 and 51425502), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No. 2018M630145) and the Major Scientific Research and Development Project in Jiangxi (No. 20173ABC28008). We thank Xiaosong Li and Xinxin Li in our research group for the design of graphics.
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Shaowei LI. He received his Ph.D. degree at China University of Petroleum (Beijing), in 2017, majoring in materials science and engineering. He is currently a postdoctor at the State Key Laboratory of Tribology in Tsinghua University. Dr. LI has published 7 peer-reviewed journal papers. His research interests include the micro-nano mechanics, thermal spray technology, interfacial molecular assembly, and lubricant development, etc.
Liran MA. She received her B.S. degree from Tsinghua University in 2005, and received her Ph.D. degree from Tsinghua University in 2010. Following a postdoctoral period at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, she is now working as an associate professor in State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Tsinghua University. Her interests in tribology have ranged from aqueous lubrication and hydration lubrication to the liquid/solid interface properties. She has published over 50 papers. Her honors include the Hinwin Doctoral Dissertation Award (2011), the Maple Leaf Award for Outstanding Young Tribologists (2015), and Chang Jiang Scholars Program-Young Professor Award (2015).
Yu TIAN. He is professor and director of the State Key Laboratory of Tribology at Tsinghua University of China. Tian gained his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering at Tsinghua University in 1998 and 2002, respectively. Subsequently he joined the State Key Laboratory of Tribology. He was a postdoc at the University of California, Santa Barbara with Professor Jacob Israelachvili from 2005 to 2007. His research interest is the science and technology at the interface of physics, materials, engineering and biology to understand the physical laws of adhesion, friction and rheology to implement technological inventions to benefit the society. He has published over 150 peerreviewed journal papers. He has received the Ten Thousand People Leading Plan Innovation Leading Talents of China (2019), the Youth Science and Technology Award of China (2016), the Yangtze River Scholars Distinguished Professor (2015–2019), the National Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scientists of China (2014), the Wen Shizhu-Maple Award-Young Scholar Award (2012), the Young Scholar Achievement Award of the Society of Mechanical Engineering of China (2011), Outstanding Young Scholar Award of the Chinese Tribology Institute (2009), and the National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of China (2004).
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Li, S., Bai, P., Li, Y. et al. Quantification/mechanism of interfacial interaction modulated by electric potential in aqueous salt solution. Friction 9, 513–523 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-019-0354-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-019-0354-7