Molecular Dynamics Study of the Frictional Properties of Silica Nanoparticles in an Amorphous State

摘要

In the paper, simulation of the treatment of two silica crystals with an amorphous interlayer was carried out using the method of molecular dynamics. The three-body interatomic interaction suggested by Tersoff was used. We studied sliding behavior under two different thermal conditions: ambient and elevated temperature. The simulation results have revealed several processes realized in the contact area caused by a shear loading. Depending on temperature and value of external compression, we observed smooth sliding or stick-slip motion of silicon and oxygen atoms within amorphous interlayer. We compare the time dependencies of resistance forces for the studied specimens. In spite of loading conditions even in case of stick-slip sliding the mean value of resistance force for simulated specimens is very low. The last can explain the experimentally observed low friction properties of polymer nano-composite materials with silica nanoparticles inclusions.