During his PhD, Dr. Bartosz Szczefanowicz explored the mysteries of two-dimensional materials, studying, among other things, the specific bonding of graphene on silicon carbide. His findings on the temporary transformation of graphene into diamond under high pressure shed new light on the mechanisms of friction at the nanoscale level.
Nanoscience deals with the study of physical, chemical and biological phenomena at the nanoscale level, that is, at the scale of one billionth of a meter. At such a level, it is possible to observe individual molecules. As part of his doctorate, Dr. Szczefanowicz undertook research on two-dimensional materials, which consist of one to several molecular or atomic layers. His work focused on measuring friction at the nanoscale, which is called nanotribology. This is a field that studies friction at the level of molecules and atoms, making it possible to understand the most basic mechanisms of friction and identify its causes.
Dr. Szczefanowicz has long been interested in nanotechnology as well as creation of devices at the nanoscale. Currently, as a researcher at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, he is working on molecules that can be clustered to store energy. This work, in addition to basic research, also focuses on practical applications. As a part of nanotechnology, it deals with methods of implementing nanoscience achievements in practice.
Promising research results
For two-dimensional materials, friction research focuses on finding and designing surfaces with minimal friction. A key aspect is controlling energy loss and wear of the material at the nanoscale. Although such research is not always directly applicable on a larger scale, at the nano and micro levels it can significantly improve the efficiency of moving components of various microscopic structures. These studies provide a better understanding of the properties of materials that can be used in nanotechnology as coatings in nano- and micromechanical elements in modern electronics.
The material that becomes a diamond
During his PhD studies, Dr. Szczefanowicz worked on a specific material that combines graphene with silicon carbide. This research was the basis for one of Dr. Szczefanowicz’s publications: “Formation of intermittent covalent bonds at high contact pressure limits superlow friction on epitaxial graphene.” [1]
The unique material that was the subject of Dr. Szczefanowicz’s research, consisting of a single layer of graphene, has an unusual property – it temporarily transforms into diamond under high pressure. This makes it harder and more resistant to damage. Dr. Szczefanowicz, in collaboration between research groups in Saarbrücken and Freiburg, studied what effects this phenomenon has on friction, analyzing the causes and the exact course of this process. The research revealed some limitations of this system – although the material is resistant to damage, additional friction occurs when too much pressure is applied, leading to damage to the counter surface, in this case, silicon oxide.
Challenges in a scientist’s work
Speaking of the biggest challenges in his work, Dr. Szczefanowicz mentions the need to organize time so as to find time for all aspects of research work: reviewing the literature, writing scientific articles and conducting experiments.
Another difficulty is the psychological issue:
“Our most difficult opponent is ourselves,” says Dr. Szczefanowicz.
Many experiments have to be repeated, results are not achieved immediately, so perseverance in ongoing research is important. There are also things you have to learn for the first time, because even a good bachelor or master’s degree does not give you all the skills you need for your doctorate and subsequent scientific work.
Specialized equipment and international environment
For his PhD studies and current postdoctoral research, Dr. Szczefanowicz moved to Germany. He wanted to go abroad to gain new experience and further his scientific development. He says an important motivation for the trip was also to be able to perform experiments efficiently. In the course of writing his master’s and bachelor thesis, he noticed that the amount of time given to perform an experiment was not always sufficient. There were also times when multiple people were assigned to a single piece of equipment needed to perform a study, which sometimes made the waiting period for access to specialized equipment longer. Added to this is the fact that some experiments are very complex, and the time needed to perform them is usually many weeks. In the event that a machine refuses to work or the time to perform a test runs out, the pressure is even greater. Dr. Szczefanowicz hoped to have better access to advanced equipment abroad, which proved to be true during his PhD studies.
Thanks to the move abroad, Dr. Szczefanowicz also has the opportunity to directly interact with the international academic community. In addition to access to state-of-the-art equipment, he is also developing his network of contacts. The head of the research team, at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, is from Switzerland, and many of the scientists on the team come from India, China and Australia. Also at the INM-Leibniz Institute for New Materials, where Dr. Szczefanowicz did his PhD studies, scientists came from a variety of countries, and English was the main spoken language.
A field that could yield many discoveries
“Nanotechnology is developing faster and faster, new methods, new materials are being developed. There is still a lot to be discovered, which can do a lot of good,” Dr. Szczefanowicz assesses.
He adds that nanoscience and nanotechnology are interdisciplinary fields that mix physics, chemistry and biology. Nanoscience leads to an understanding of the laws of nature at its foundation, while nanotechnology uses this knowledge to advance many areas of life, including medicine, electronics, or energy.
[1] Szczefanowicz, B., Kuwahara, T., Filleter, T., Klemenz, A., Mayrhofer, L., Bennewitz, R., & Moseler, M. (2023). Formation of intermittent covalent bonds at high contact pressure limits superlow friction on epitaxial graphene. Physical Review Research, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevresearch.5.l012049
