C(60) Intercalated Graphite as Nanolubricants

We synthesized the novel nanocomposite consisting of alternately stacked single graphene sheets and a C(60) monolayer by using the graphite intercalation technique in which alkylamine molecules help intercalate large C(60) molecules into the graphite. It is found that the intercalated C(60) molecules can rotate in between single graphene sheets by using (13)C NMR measurements. The grease with the nanocomposite materials provides a much better lubricating performance than that with other additives that have been well-known up to now. This result exhibits that a C(60) monolayer intercalated between graphenes plays an important role in lubricating behavior.