The Atomic-Scale Investigation of Friction at Hydrocarbon Interfaces via Molecular Dynamics Simulations ASIATRIB 2002

In this digest, we briefly review our current molecular dynamics (MD) simulations that utilize both the reactive empirical bond order potential (REBO) and the adaptive intermolecular REBO (AIREBO) potential energy functions. The AIREBO potential includes intermolecular interactions, so that self·assembled monolayers, and liquids, can be modeled. We have examined the mechanical and tribological properties of model self assembled monolayers and amorphous carbon films. Self-assembled monolayers are modeled by covalently bonding hydrocarbon chains to diamond substrates. Because the REBO potentials can model chemical reactions, specific compression and sliding induced chemical reactions were identified.