Principles of atomic friction: from sticking atoms to superlubric sliding

TLDR

Tribology, the study of friction, wear, and lubrication, is crucial for many technical applications, yet an exact atomistic description remains elusive, leading to the emergence of nanotribology. The article reviews current understanding of atomic‑scale friction principles derived from recent friction force microscopy experiments. Recent advances, notably the friction force microscope, enable probing frictional forces at well‑defined atomic contacts.

Abstract

Tribology-the science of friction, wear and lubrication-is of great importance for all technical applications where moving bodies are in contact. Nonetheless, little progress has been made in finding an exact atomistic description of friction since Amontons proposed his empirical macroscopic laws over three centuries ago. The advent of new experimental tools such as the friction force microscope, however, enabled the investigation of frictional forces occurring at well-defined contacts down to the atomic scale. This research field has been established as nanotribology. In the present article, we review our current understanding of the principles of atomic-scale friction based on recent experiments using friction force microscopy.