Tetraalkylammonium salts have larger ions than metal ions, which can greatly change the interlayer space and energy, and\nthen potentially tune the properties of graphite. In this work, various graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) have been\nsynthesized by intercalating tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB) ions into graphite through electrochemical interactions under\ndifferent reduction potentials. Different degrees of expansion between graphite layers as well as their corresponding structures\nand topographies have been characterized by different analytical techniques. The nanoscale friction and wear properties of these\nGICs have been investigated by AFM-based nanofrictional and scratch tests. The results show that electrochemical intercalation\nusing tetraalkylammonium salts with different interaction potentials can tune the friction and wear properties of graphite. Under\nrelatively large applied loads of AFM tips, friction increase and wear can be easier to occur with the increase of the intercalation\npotential. It is inferred that the increases of both the interlayer space of graphite and the number of ions on the surface give rise to\npuckered effect and formation of rougher surfaces. This work gives us deep insight into the friction and wear properties of GICs as\ncomposite lubrication materials, which would be of great help for material design and preparation.
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