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Friction force microscopy analysis of self-adaptive W-S-C coatings: nanoscale friction and wear

Friction force microscopy analysis of self-adaptive W-S-C coatings: nanoscale friction and wear
Friction force microscopy analysis of self-adaptive W-S-C coatings: nanoscale friction and wear
Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) are increasingly popular due to unique structural and mechanical properties. They belong, together with graphene and similar 2D materials, to a small family of solid lubricants with potential to produce ultralow friction state. At the macroscale, low friction stems from the ability to form well-oriented films on the sliding surface (typically up to 10 nm thick), with the TMD basal planes aligned parallel to the surface. In this study, we quantitatively evaluate tribological properties of three sputtered tungsten–sulfur–carbon (W–S–C) coatings at a nanoscale using friction force microscopy. In particular, we investigate possible formation of well-ordered tungsten disulfide (WS2) layers on the coating surface. The coefficient of friction decreased with increasing load independently of coating composition or mechanical properties. In contrast, hard coatings with high tungsten carbide content were more resistant to wear. We successfully identified a WS2 tribolayer at the sliding interface, which peeled off as ultrathin flakes and attached to AFM tip. Nanoscale tribological behavior of WSC coatings replicates deviation of Amonton’s law observed in macroscale testing and strongly suggests that the tribolayer is formed almost immediately after the start of sliding.
atomic force microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nanoscale friction, nanowear, magnetron sputtering, tungsten-sulphur-carbon coatings, self-adaptive coatings
1944-8244
21056-21064
Zekonyte, Jurgita
f83ed53d-b768-4560-8e11-60d9c400f190
Polcar, T.
c669b663-3ba9-4e7b-9f97-8ef5655ac6d2
Zekonyte, Jurgita
f83ed53d-b768-4560-8e11-60d9c400f190
Polcar, T.
c669b663-3ba9-4e7b-9f97-8ef5655ac6d2

Zekonyte, Jurgita and Polcar, T. (2015) Friction force microscopy analysis of self-adaptive W-S-C coatings: nanoscale friction and wear. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 7 (38), 21056-21064. (doi:10.1021/acsami.5b05546).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) are increasingly popular due to unique structural and mechanical properties. They belong, together with graphene and similar 2D materials, to a small family of solid lubricants with potential to produce ultralow friction state. At the macroscale, low friction stems from the ability to form well-oriented films on the sliding surface (typically up to 10 nm thick), with the TMD basal planes aligned parallel to the surface. In this study, we quantitatively evaluate tribological properties of three sputtered tungsten–sulfur–carbon (W–S–C) coatings at a nanoscale using friction force microscopy. In particular, we investigate possible formation of well-ordered tungsten disulfide (WS2) layers on the coating surface. The coefficient of friction decreased with increasing load independently of coating composition or mechanical properties. In contrast, hard coatings with high tungsten carbide content were more resistant to wear. We successfully identified a WS2 tribolayer at the sliding interface, which peeled off as ultrathin flakes and attached to AFM tip. Nanoscale tribological behavior of WSC coatings replicates deviation of Amonton’s law observed in macroscale testing and strongly suggests that the tribolayer is formed almost immediately after the start of sliding.

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More information

Accepted/In Press date: 4 September 2015
e-pub ahead of print date: 15 September 2015
Published date: 30 September 2015
Keywords: atomic force microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, nanoscale friction, nanowear, magnetron sputtering, tungsten-sulphur-carbon coatings, self-adaptive coatings
Organisations: nCATS Group

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 382601
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/382601
ISSN: 1944-8244
PURE UUID: f84cabaa-28ac-4a08-a833-650aa7b1fdc3
ORCID for T. Polcar: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-0863-6287

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 02 Nov 2015 13:50
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:40

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Contributors

Author: Jurgita Zekonyte
Author: T. Polcar ORCID iD

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