Direct Measurement of Adhesions of Liquids on Graphite

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have a great potential to both enhance existing technologies and create a range of new applications. Precise knowledge of interfacial energy in contacts between 2D materials and liquids is a key step toward understanding their interfacial properties and functioning. Here, we propose a direct method to measure the graphite-liquid interfacial energies. The method is based on the use of superlubricity phenomenon that is a state of ultralow friction and wear, which has been achieved for a number of layered materials. This new methodology may be extended to other 2D materials and liquids and is expected to have an impact on both the fundamental understanding of the solid-liquid interactions and the design and fabrication of devices including 2D materials.