Layer-by-layer assembly and tribological property of multilayer ultrathin films constructed by modified graphene sheets and polyethyleneimine

A series of graphene sheets (GS)-based multilayer films was constructed in virtue of layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembly technique based on the negatively charged poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) mediated GS (PSS-GS) and the positively charged polyethyleneimine (PEI). High-resolution transmission electron microscope, atomic force microscope and micro-Raman spectrum characterizations demonstrated that the PSS-GS has been synthesized and could be assembled on the single-crystal silicon substrate. Ellipsometric thickness measurement and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscope confirmed the successive assemblies of GS. Finally, the macrotribological behaviors of different multilayer films were evaluated on a ball-on-plate macrotribometer and the results indicated that the prepared three- and five-layer films had high load affording ability and long anti-wear life, which could be highly dependent upon the high coverage and excellent self-lubricant properties that the GS owns intrinsically.