Solidification and superlubricity with molecular alkane films.

ABSTRACT: Hydrocarbon films confined between smooth mica surfaces have long provided an experimental playground for model studies of structure and dynamics of confined liquids. However, fundamental questions regarding the phase behavior and shear properties in this simple system remain unsolved. With ultrasensitive resolution in film thickness and shear stress, and control over the crystallographic alignment of the confining surfaces, we here investigate the shear forces transmitted across nanoscale films of dodecane down to a single molecular layer. We resolve the conditions under which liquid-solid phase transitions occur and explain friction coefficients spanning several orders of magnitude. We find that commensurate surface alignment and presence of water at the interfaces each lead to moderate

SUBMITTER: Smith AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6926059 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature