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arXiv · 2609.08063

Edge energy fluctuation: A unified theory of friction scaling laws in twisted layered material interfaces

Ze Liu
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Abstract

Interlayer twisting in van der Waals (vdW) layered materials generates moire superlattices, unlocking unique opportunities for engineering their electronic and mechanical functionalities. Here, building on two key insights - the invariance of the potential energy of complete moire tiles during sliding, and the symmetry-breaking effect induced by the slider edge - we propose the concept of edge energy fluctuation (EEF) and demonstrate that the EEF governs the sliding energy barrier of finite-sized sliders. Interestingly, we found that even at a fixed twist angle and sliding direction, significant frictional anisotropy emerges when the slider edge is cut along different directions, resulting in distinct friction scaling laws. Furthermore, we present a friction engineering paradigm for twisted layered material interfaces through the deliberate introduction of hierarchical edges, offering a promising route for friction control in superlubric devices.

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Ze Liu. 2026-09-08. Edge energy fluctuation: A unified theory of friction scaling laws in twisted layered material interfaces. https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.08063

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