Atomistic modeling of tribological properties of Pd and Al nanoparticles on a graphene surface.

The frictional properties of nanoparticles have been studied to gain insight into the fundamental origin of sliding friction. Using molecular dynamics we investigate frictional properties of aluminum and palladium nanoparticles deposited on a graphene layer. We study the time evolution of the total momentum of the system, the total and potential energies, the temperature, the velocity and position of the center of mass, the dimensions of the nanoparticle, and the friction and substrate forces acting on the particle.