Modeling of lateral stiffness of C₆₀ bearings interface

Abstract

We investigated lateral stiffness during the scan process of the graphene of the C₆₀ molecular bearing structure (graphene / single C₆₀ molecule / graphene interface) by molecular mechanics simulation. It is clarified that the total lateral stiffness is just the same as that calculated using the effective lateral spring of C₆₀ molecule and C₆₀-graphene interaction as series springs for the small scan region. Thus lateral stiffness strongly reflects not only that of C₆₀ molecule but also that of the interaction acting at the interface.