Superlubricating Graphene Films

Abstract

A system and method for forming graphene on a substrate and an opposed wear member having a DLC coating. The system includes graphene formed by an exfoliation process to dispose solution processed graphene onto a substrate. The system further includes an opposing wear member of DLC disposed on another substrate and a gas atmosphere of an inert gas like N 2 .

1 . A method of forming graphene on a substrate, comprising the steps of:
 providing a solution processed graphene; and   disposing the solution processed graphene on the substrate, thereby establishing a low friction wear surface.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein the graphene of the solution processed graphene is formed by at least one of (a) a chemical exfoliation step, (b) mechanical exfoliation, (c) CVD and disposing the graphene into a liquid. 
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 2  wherein the step of disposing the solution processed graphene comprises spraying the liquid containing the graphene onto the substrate. 
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein the substrate is selected from the group of a metal, a transition metal and an insulator. 
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 1  further including the step of providing an opposing wear member against which the graphene on the substrate slides. 
     
     
         6 . The method as defined in  claim 5  wherein the opposing wear member comprises DLC. 
     
     
         7 . The method as defined in  claim 6  wherein the DLC is a hydrogenated form of DLC. 
     
     
         8 . The method as defined in  claim 5  further including the step of providing an inert gas atmosphere disposed around the graphene on the substrate and the opposing wear member. 
     
     
         9 . The method as defined in  claim 8  wherein the inert gas consists essentially of at least one of N 2  and Ar. 
     
     
         10 . The method as defined in  claim 8  wherein the inert gas environment is a high vacuum. 
     
     
         11 . The method as defined in  claim 3  wherein the step of disposing is done in ambient conditions. 
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 5  wherein the opposing wear member is pre-processed to control surface roughness. 
     
     
         13 . A graphene wear member article of manufacture, comprising:
 a first substrate;   a solution of graphene and a liquid, thereby forming a solution processed graphene disposed on the first substrate; and   a second substrate forming an opposing wear member of the solution processed graphene on the first substrate.   
     
     
         14 . The graphene wear member as defined in  claim 12  wherein the first substrate is selected from the group of a steel, a transition metal and an insulator. 
     
     
         15 . The graphene wear member as defined in  claim 13  wherein the transition metal is selected from the group of Cu and Ni. 
     
     
         16 . The graphene wear member as defined in  claim 13  wherein the insulator comprises SiO 2 . 
     
     
         17 . The graphene wear member as defined in  claim 13  wherein the liquid comprises at least one of water, alcohol or hydrocarbon based solvent. 
     
     
         18 . The graphene wear member as defined in  claim 13  wherein the second substrate comprises a metal. 
     
     
         19 . The graphene wear member as defined in  claim 13  wherein the second substrate comprises DLC on an underlying substrate. 
     
     
         20 . The graphene wear member as defined in  claim 13  further including an atmosphere surrounding the graphene wear member consisting of at least one of N 2 , Ar and a high vacuum.