Phase-dependent friction of nanoconfined water meniscus

A water meniscus naturally forms under ambient conditions at the point of contact between a nanoscale tip and an atomically flat substrate. Here, we study the effect of the phase state of this nanoscale meniscus - consisting of coexisting monolayer, bilayer and trilayer phase domains - on the frictional behavior during tip sliding by means of molecular dynamics simulations. While the meniscus experiences a domain-by-domain liquid-to-solid phase transition induced by lateral compression, we observe an evident transition in measured friction curves from continuous sliding to stick-slip and meanwhile a gradual increase in friction forces. Moreover, the stick-slip friction can be modulated by varying lattice orientation of the monolayer ice domain in the meniscus, choosing the sliding direction or applying in-plane strains to the substrate. Our results shed light on the rational design of high-performance micro- and nano-electromechanical systems relying on hydration lubrication.