Superlubricity Mechanism of Brasenia Schreberi Mucilage

An eatable aquatic plant, Brasenia schreberi, was found owning excellent lubrication properties with an ultra-low friction coefficient about 0.005 between its surface and a glass surface. The friction coefficient is closely related to the structure of mucilage and the content of water in the mucilage. Many nano-sheets were found in the mucilage surrounding the Brasenia schreberi. The lubrication mechanism is proposed due to forming hydration layer among these nano-sheets with plenty of bond water molecules. The excellent lubrication property has obvious application for the fabrication of glossy pill coated by such kind of mucilage, which would prevent pill lodging in people’s throat, especially for children.