Effect of functional groups on tribological properties of lubricants and mechanism investigation

Nine organic compounds were utilized as model lubricants to investigate the impact of functional groups on tribological performances.Nonanoic Acid with carboxyl showed the best lubrication properties,and fluid film and tribofilm were coexistent in its friction test,bringing a low friction coefficient and wear rate.In addition,the lubricant with low friction coefficient corresponded to high adsorption energy in density functional theory(DFT)calculations.And the lubricant forming adsorption film with large surface energy displayed small wear rate in friction test.Moreover,adsorption energies positively correlated surface energies.Based on the experimental results,the action mechanism of functional groups on tribological properties of lubricants was proposed.Various functional groups make lubricant molecules show different adsorption energies and surface energies.Lubricant molecules with high adsorption energy are more likely to adsorb on substrates and form a vertical monolayer,which can maintain a regular molecular brush structure during friction and bring a low friction coefficient.And lubricant molecules with high surface energy may be more prone having tribochemical reactions during friction and forming protective tribofilm,which leads to a low wear rate.

Structural features of 18R-type long-period stacking ordered phase in Mg85Zn6Y9 alloy and the Ni doping effect on its hydrogen storage properties

Magnesium-based alloys with 18R-type long-period stacking ordered(LPSO)structures have attracted wide attention for structural and functional applications.To understand hydrogen storage properties of 18R phase,the Mg_(85)Zn_(6)Y_(9)alloy with 94 wt.%of 18R-type LPSO phase is prepared in this work.The 18R phase has a layered structure where Y-Zn-Mg and Mg layers alternately stack along the c-axis.In the Y-Zn-Mg layers,Y,Zn and partial Mg sites are co-occupied by Y and Mg,Zn and Mg,and Mg and Zn/Y atoms,respectively.Thus the 18R phase is easily decomposed intoα-MgH_(2),γ-MgH_(2),YH_(2),YH_(3),C14-type Laves phase MgZn_(2)and minor CsCl-type Y(Mg,Zn)during ball milling under hydrogen atmosphere.Af-ter further hydrogen absorption-desorption cycling,Y(Mg,Zn)disappears gradually and C14 phase trans-forms into C15-type Laves phase.By contrast,the Mg_(85)Zn_(6)Y_(9)alloy has better hydrogen storage kinetics and cycle durability than pure Mg because of the catalytic effect of YH_(2)/YH_(3)on hydrogen absorption-desorption and inhibition role of Laves phase in Mg crystallite growth.Moreover,the introduction of Ni into Mg_(85)Zn_(6)Y_(9)sample leads to a further decrease in activation energy of hydrogen desorption from 106.39 to 96.78 kJ mol−1 due to the formation of Mg_(2)Ni.This work not only provides new insights into structural features and hydrogen storage characteristics of 18R phase but offers an effective method for improving hydrogen storage properties.

Macroscale superlubricity achieved via hydroxylated hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets with ionic liquid at steel/steel interface

Macroscale superlubricity is a prospective strategy in modern tribology to dramatically reduce friction and wear of mechanical equipment;however,it is mainly studied for point-to-surface contact or special friction pairs in experiments.In this study,a robust macroscale superlubricity for point-to-point contact on a steel interface was achieved for the first time by using hydroxylated modified boron nitride nanosheets with proton-type ionic liquids(ILs)as additives in ethylene glycol aqueous(EG_(aq)).The detailed superlubricity process and mechanism were revealed by theoretical calculations and segmented experiments.The results indicate that hydration originating from hydrated ions can significantly reduce the shear stress of EG_(aq),which plays an essential role in achieving superlubricity.Moreover,the IL induces a tribochemical reaction to form a friction-protective film.Hydroxylated boron nitride nanosheets(HO-BNNs)function as a polishing and self-repairing agent to disperse the contact stress between friction pairs.Superlubricity involves the change in lubrication state from boundary lubrication to mixed lubrication.This finding can remarkably extend the application of superlubricity for point-to-point contact on steel surfaces for engineering applications.

Insight into macroscale superlubricity of polyol aqueous solution induced by protic ionic liquid

Currently,macroscale liquid superlubricity remains limited to low applied loads and typical ceramic friction pairs.In this study,a robust macroscale superlubricity with a coefficient of friction(COF)of approximately 0.006 is realized at the bearing steel interface induced by protic ionic liquids(ILs)in propylene glycol aqueous solution,and the lubrication system exhibits excellent anti-corrosion properties.Results show that superlubricity can be achieved by employing ILs with longer alkyl chains over a wide load(<350 N)and speed(>700 r/min)range.By systematically investigating factors affecting superlubricity,including the IL structure,ionization degree,test conditions,polyol,water-to-alcohol ratio,and lubrication state,the superlubricity mechanism is discussed.Notably,a thicker and denser stern layer can be formed using ILs with longer alkyl chains,which participates in the tribochemical reaction with the metal substrate to form a tribofilm during rubbing.The hydrogen bond network layer formed by the hydrogen ion and polycol aqueous solution can withstand high applied loads.Water can be used to reduce the shear stress of polyols,and enable superlubricity to be achieved under high-speed rotations.Moreover,an inevitable running-in period serves as a dispersing contact stress and dynamically forms a lubricating film,where the lubrication state locates mixed lubrication and then transforms into boundary lubrication as the roughness of the contact surface increases.This study is expected to significantly promote the development and application of superlubricity in the engineering field.