Superlubricity under ultrahigh contact pressure enabled by partially oxidized black phosphorus nanosheets

Superlubricity has recently raised an increasing interest owing to its great potential in energy saving and environmental benefits. Yet how to obtain stable superlubricity under an ultrahigh contact pressure (>1 GPa) still remains a challenge. Here, we demonstrate that robust liquid superlubricity can be realized even under a contact pressure of 1193 MPa by lubrication with partially oxidized black phosphorus (oBP) nanosheets. The analysis indicates that the oBP nanosheets that absorb large amounts of water molecules are retained at the friction interface and transform the friction pairs interface to that between the oBP nanosheets. Molecular dynamics simulation demonstrates that water molecules could be retained at the friction interface even under the ultrahigh contact pressure owing to the abundant P=O and P-OH bonds formed on the oBP nanosheet surfaces, contributing to the achievement of stable superlubricity under the ultrahigh contact pressure. This work has the potential of introducing the liquid superlubricity concept in diverse industrial applications involving high-contact-pressure operating conditions.

Automated summary

The study demonstrates that robust liquid superlubricity can be achieved even under ultrahigh contact pressure by lubricating with partially oxidized black phosphorus nanosheets. The nanosheets absorb water molecules, forming a friction pair interface and contributing to stable superlubricity under ultrahigh contact pressure. This work has the potential to introduce the concept of liquid superlubricity in diverse industrial applications with high-contact-pressure operating conditions.