# Understanding the friction of atomically thin layered materials

## TL;DR

This paper presents a fundamental model for understanding the complex frictional behavior of atomically thin layered materials like graphene, explaining experimental and simulation results and enabling better control of their friction and wear properties.

## Contribution

It introduces a simple, fundamental model that explains various experimental and numerical observations of friction in atomically thin layered materials.

## Key findings

- Model explains friction strengthening effects.
- Model accounts for dependence on number of layers.
- Provides a basis for controlling friction and wear in thin sheets.

## Abstract

Friction is a ubiquitous phenomenon that greatly affects our everyday lives and is responsible for large amounts of energy loss in industrialised societies. Layered materials such as graphene have interesting frictional properties and are often used as (additives to) lubricants to reduce friction and protect against wear. Experimental Atomic Force Microscopy studies and detailed simulations have shown a number of intriguing effects such as friction strengthening and dependence of friction on the number of layers covering a surface. Here, we propose a simple, fundamental, model for friction on thin sheets. We use our model to explain a variety of seemingly contradictory experimental as well as numerical results. This model can serve as a basis for understanding friction on thin sheets, and opens up new possibilities for ultimately controlling their friction and wear protection.