Superlubricity behaviors of Nitinol 60 alloy under oil lubrication

The tribological tests were performed using Nitinol 60 alloy pin sliding over GCr15 steel disc in the tribometer system. Four kinds of oils were experimentally investigated as lubrication oils for lubricating Nitinol 60 alloy in the boundary lubrication regime. The experimental results were compared with a reference dry friction. It was found that Nitinol 60 alloy can be lubricated significantly and has shown remarkable lubrication performance. A superlubricity behavior of Nitinol 60 alloy was observed under castor oil lubrication. An ultra-low coefficient of friction of Nitinol 60 alloy about 0.008 between Nitinol 60 alloy and GCr15 steel was obtained under castor oil lubrication condition after a running-in period. Accordingly, the present study is focused on the lubrication behaviors of castor oil as potential lubrication oil for Nitinol 60 alloy. In the presence of castor oil, coefficient of friction is kept at 0.008 at steady state, corresponding to so-called superlubricity regime （when sliding is then approaching pure rolling）. The mechanism of superlubricity is attributed to the triboformed OH-terminated surfaces from friction-induced dissociation of castor oil and the boundary lubrication films formed on the contact surface due to high polarity and long chain of castor oil allowing strong interactions with the lubricated surfaces.

Superlubricity of a Mixed Aqueous Solution

A super-low friction coefficient of 0.0028 is measured under a pressure of 300MPa when the friction pair(the silicon nitride ball sliding on the silicate glass)is lubricated by the mixed aqueous solution of glycerol and boric acid.The morphorlogies of the hydroxylated glass plate are observed by an atomic force microscope(AFM)in deionized water,glycerol,boric acid and their mixed aqueous solution.Bonding peaks of the retained liquids adhered on the surface of the sliding track are detected by an infrared spectrum apparatus and a Raman spectrum apparatus.The mechanism of the superlubricity of the glycerol and boric acid mixed aqueous solution is discussed.It is deduced that the formation of the lubricant film has enough strength to support higher loads,the hydration effect offering the super lower shear resistance.

Superlubricity enabled dry transfer of non-encapsulated graphene

Transferring high-quality exfoliated graphene flakes onto different substrates while keeping the graphene free of polymer residues is of great importance, but at the same time very challenging. Currently, the only feasible way is the so-called all-dry "pick-and-lift" method, in which a hexagonal boron nitride(hBN) flake is employed to serve as a stamp to pick up graphene from one substrate and to lift it down onto another substrate. The transferred graphene samples, however,are always covered or encapsulated by hBN flakes, which leads to difficulties in further characterizations. Here, we report an improved "pick-and-lift" method, which allows ultra-clean graphene flakes to be transferred onto a variety of substrates without hBN coverage. Basically, by exploiting the superlubricity at the graphene/hBN stack interface, we are able to remove the top-layer hBN stamp by applying a tangential force and expose the underneath graphene.

Photoinduced superlubricity on TiO_(2) surfaces

Superlubricity control is of great interest in both industry and scientific research,and several methods have been proposed to achieve this goal.In this work,ultraviolet(UV)light was introduced into titanium dioxide(TiO_(2))and silicon nitride(Si_(3)N_(4))tribosystems to accomplish photoinduced superlubricity.The friction coefficients(COFs)between Si_(3)N_(4) balls and TiO_(2) plates in the mixtures of sulfuric acid(H^(2)SO_(4))solution and glycerol solution were obviously reduced,and the system entered the superlubricity region(COF<0.01)after UV illumination at a speed of 56 mm/s.However,the COF was much larger without UV treatment than that with UV treatment.The formation of silica(SiO_(2))layers on the surfaces of Si_(3)N_(4) balls and the elastohydrodynamic effects were determined to be fundamental to the low friction in this experiment,and the enhancement of the combination between the TiO_(2) surface and the hydroxy group of glycerol by UV illumination was the key to the photoinduced superlubricity in this system.These findings showed one method for achieving superlubricity by introducing a light field that could be further applied to special working conditions.

Combination of diketone and PAO to achieve macroscale oil-based superlubricity at relative high contact pressures

1-(4-ethylphenyl)-nonane-1,3-dione(0206)is an oil-soluble liquid molecule with rod-like structure.In this study,the chelate(0206-Fe)with octahedral structure was prepared by the reaction of ferric chloride and 1,3-diketone.The experimental results show that when using 0206 and a mixed solution containing 60%0206-Fe and 40%0206(0206-Fe(60%))as lubricants of the steel friction pairs,superlubricity can be achieved(0.007,0.006).But their wear scar diameters(WSD)were very large(532µm,370µm),which resulted in the pressure of only 44.3 and 61.8 MPa in the contact areas of the friction pairs.When 0206-Fe(60%)was mixed with PAO6,it was found that the friction coefficient(COF)decreased with increase of 0206-Fe(60%)in the solution.When the ratio of 0206-Fe(60%)to PAO6 was 8:2(PAO6(20%)),it exhibited better comprehensive tribological properties(232.3 MPa).Subsequent studies have shown that reducing the viscosity of the base oil in the mixed solution helped to reduce COF and increased WSD.Considering the COF,contact pressure,and running-in time,it was found that the mixed lubricant(Oil3(20%))prepared by the base oil with a viscosity of 19.7 mPa·s(Oil3)and 0206-Fe(60%)exhibited the best tribological properties(0.007,161.4 MPa,3,100 s).

Liquid superlubricity of lubricants containing hydroxyl groups and their aqueous solution under rolling/sliding conditions

Macroscale rolling/sliding conditions are in the superlubricity,a little-studied topic so far.The purpose of this paper is to examine the formation of elastohydrodynamic lubrication(EHL)films by water-based lubricants(glycerol and polyethylene glycol(PEG)),providing superlubricous friction.Experiments were carried out on an optical ball-on-disc tribometer under rolling/sliding conditions.The film thickness was measured by the thin film colorimetric interferometry,and the viscosity of liquids was measured by rotational and high-pressure falling body viscometers.The results show that tribochemical reactions are not the mandatory reason for friction to reach the superlubricity level when using the water-based lubricants.The studied liquids themselves are almost Newtonian.With the addition of water,the signs of shear thinning behavior disappear even more.Suitable conditions for this type of lubricant can be predicted using the known Hamrock–Dowson equations.An anomaly in the thickness of the lubricants was observed as an abrupt change at certain conditions.The more PEG there is in the lubricant,the higher the thickness at the beginning of the jump.

Friction as energy dissipation process associated with superlubricity of solids

The paper shows that work in a quantum system is quantized with energy;the quantum work is equivalent to the highest eigenenergy(the Debye energy)of the system and the superlubricity of solids is derived from the quantum work.The prerequisite for the superlubricity is that the lateral force at contact surfaces in sliding is less than the Debye force so that the phonon of the solids is not excited.

Conductive edge-warping graphite mesas for robust structural superlubricity

Structural superlubricity(SSL) refers to a state of ultralow friction and zero wear when two solid surfaces slide against each other. Recent investigations have identified amorphous carbon at the edge of the graphite mesa as the primary source of friction in such SSL systems. Here, the tensile stress of metal thin film is exploited to engineer vertically conductive edge-warping graphite mesas(EWGM). Through this approach, robust SSL performance is realized, demonstrated by sliding an 8 μm side length square EWGM on an atomically smooth Au substrate for 10000 cycles at a constant voltage of 1 m V. In this SSL system,differential friction coefficients lower than 1.5 × 10^(-4) are achieved, with static contact resistance between EWGM and Au substrate as low as 28Ω and sliding contact resistance as low as 32Ω. Moreover, the EWGM exhibits SSL behavior on polished Si wafer substrates. Furthermore, because of the no-edge contact with the substrate during sliding, friction is independent of the sliding speed of the EWGM. This study presents the first successful fabrication of conductive EWGM. Remarkably, in both EWGM-Au and EWGM-Si SSL systems, the measured frictions are more than one order of magnitude lower than those of ordinary self-retracting graphite mesas with no-edge warping, and no wear is observed during extended current-carrying sliding.Overall, these findings establish a solid groundwork for the future realization of macroscale conductive SSL systems.

Research progress on rolling superlubricity in solid lubricants

Superlubricity is an ideal lubrication state where friction nearly vanishes between contact interfaces. It has become one of the most important research topics and approaches owing to its significance in reducing energy consumption and preventing device failures. As an efficient and universal lubricating principle capable of achieving superlubricity, rolling lubrication has attracted widespread attention in recent years. In this review, the theoretical concept of rolling lubrication and the experimental research progress of spherical/scroll structures are summarized. The review focuses on the possibility of achieving rolling lubrication using spherical/scroll structures(such as spherical fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and formed and constructed spherical/scroll structures). The challenges in achieving rolling lubrication are summarized, and the possibility of molecular rolling lubrication,as well as its potential applications in superlubrication, are discussed.

Simple and effective:Superlubricity behaviour of the G-quadruplex hydrogel with high selectivity for K^(+) ions based on the ocular environment

Hydrogels have been the subject of significant research in the field of friction due to their exceptional lubricating properties.In this study,the G-quadruplex hydrogel with high selectivity for K^(+) ions was formed by introducing a mixture of G,2-formylphenylboronic acid,and polyethylene glycol diamine into simulated artificial tears solution with high transparency,and an ultra-low coefficient of friction(COF)of about 0.004 was obtained based on the simulated ocular environment,thus achieving macroscopic superlubricity.In friction pairs simulating the ocular environment,to assess the frictional performance of the G-quadruplex hydrogel as both a lubricant and a friction pair based on the simulated ocular environment,we conducted experiments considering various factors such as concentration,sliding speed,and stress.Through these experiments,it was found that superlubricity was achieved when the G-quadruplex hydrogel was applied as lubricant or friction pair.This effect was attributed to the three-dimensional network structure and hydrophilicity of the hydrogel,which facilitated the formation of a highly bearing and flowing hydration layer,promoting macroscopic superlubricity.Compared to the G-quadruplex hydrogel with low concentration,the high concentration hydrogel(75 mM)exhibited increased mechanical strength and robustness in superlubricity.Combined with biocompatibility experiments,our synthesized G-quadruplex hydrogel has excellent biocompatibility and offers a novel approach to achieve superlubricity in ocular drug delivery.

Towards direct superlubricity and superlow wear via amino modification of polyhydroxy alcohol solutions

Friction remains as the primary mode of energy dissipation and components wear,and achieving superlubricity shows high promise in energy conservation and lifetime wear protection.The results in this work demonstrate that direct superlubricity combined with superlow wear can be realized for steel/Si_(3)N_(4)contacts on engineering scale when polyhydroxy alcohol solution was selectively modified by amino group.Macroscopic direct superlubricity occurs because 3-amino-1,2-propanediol molecules at the friction interface could be induced to rotate and adsorb vertically on the friction surface,forming in-situ thick and dense molecular films to passivate the asperity contacts.Furthermore,amino modification is also conducive to improving the lubrication state from boundary to mixed lubrication regime by strengthening the intermolecular hydrogen bonding interaction,presenting enhanced load-bearing capability and reduced direct solid asperity contacts.Thus,direct superlow average friction of 0.01 combined with superlow wear are achieved simultaneously.The design principle of direct superlubricity and superlow wear in this work indeed offers an effective strategy to fundamentally improve energy efficiency and provide lifetime wear protection for moving mechanical assemblies.

Structural superlubricity at homogenous interface of pentagraphene

Two-dimensional(2D)van der Waals layered materials have been widely used as lubricant.Penta-graphene(PG),a 2D carbon allotrope exclusively composed of irregular carbon pentagons has recently been predicted to have superlubricating property.In the present study,by combining the molecular dynamics simulation and first-principles calculations,we investigated the frictional property of PG in both commensurate and incommensurate contacts.Our calculations show the ultra-low friction at the interface of relatively rotated bilayer PG with twist angles of more than 10°away from the commensurate configuration.Meanwhile,our calculations demonstrate the isotropy of the ultra-low friction at the interface of incommensurate contact,in contrast to the anisotropic of the commensurate contacting interface.Additionally,the evolution of friction force and the fluctuation of potential energy along sliding path correlate closely with the interface’s structure.The energetics and charge density explain the difference between the friction at the interfaces of the commensurate and incommensurate contacts.Not only that,we found the correlation between the intrinsic structural feature and interlayer binding energy.Importantly,our findings on the retainment of the ultra-low friction under work conditions indicates that the superlubricating state of PG has good practical adaptability.

Modulation mechanism of electron energy dissipation on superlubricity based on fluorinated 2D ZIFs

Electron energy dissipation is an important energy dissipation pathway that cannot be ignored in friction process.Two-dimensional zeolite imidazole frameworks(2D ZIFs)and fluorine doping strategies give 2D Zn-ZIF and 2D Co-ZIF unique electrical properties,making them ideal materials for studying electron energy dissipation mechanism.In this paper,based on the superlubricity modulation of 2D fluoridated ZIFs,the optimal tribological properties are obtained on the 2D F-Co-ZIF surface,with the friction coefficient as low as 0.0010.Electrical experiments,density functional theory(DFT)simulation,and fluorescence detection are used to explain the mechanism of fluorine doping regulation of tribological properties from the two stages,namely energy transfer and energy release.Specifically,the energy will transfer into the friction system through the generation of electron–hole pairs under an external excitation,and release by radiation and non-radiation energy dissipation channels.Fluorination reduces energy transfer by altering the electronic properties and band structures of ZIFs,and slows down the charge transfer by enhancing the shielding efficiency,thus slowing the non-radiative energy dissipation rate during the energy release stage.Our insights not only help us better understand the role of fluorine doping in improving tribological properties,but also provide a new way to further explore the electron energy dissipation pathway during friction.

Exceptional mechanical performance and macroscale superlubricity enabled by core-shell-like MoS_(2)/B_(4)C film

Molybdenum disulfide(MoS_(2)) films are widely deployed in industrial applications owing to their inherent interlayer slip characteristics, offering energy consumption savings and prolonged mechanical part performance. Nevertheless, their practical utility is limited by environmental constraints and the limitations of preparation techniques, which hinder the attainment of robust superlubricity(friction coefficient < 0.01). Herein, through magnetron sputtering technology, we synthesize a core-shell-like nanocomposite composed of MoS_(2)nanosheets encapsulating B_(4)C. The core-shell-like structure enables the resulting films to preferentially grow crystalline MoS_(2), providing them with outstanding mechanical properties and efficient lubrication over a wide range of temperatures. Remarkably, such film achieves robust macroscale superlubricity and an ultralow wear rate(1.7 ×10^(-8)mm^(3)N-1m^(-1)) under high contact stress in a mild vacuum environment. This noteworthy outcome is primarily attributable to the self-segmentation of the macroscale contact interface during the friction process, involving:(1) a large amount of wear debris is embedded into the wear track to create extensive micro-sized asperities;(2) a nanolayer of amorphous carbon enriched with oxide nanoparticles is formed on the uppermost part of these asperities;(3) numerous incommensurate nanocontacts comprising nanoparticles and highly oriented MoS_(2)nanosheets are established, culminating in the achievement of robust superlubricity. Our pioneering design, coupled with the elucidation of the underlying superlubricity mechanism, holds significant promise for advancing the development of robust and high-performance lubricants.

New achievements in superlubricity from International Workshop on Superlubricity: Fundamental and Applications

Since the term“superlubricity”was put forward at the beginning of 1990s,it has become one of the hottest researches in tribology due to it being close linked to the energy problems.Recently,the International Workshop on“Superlubricity:Fundamental and Applications”was successfully held on 19-20 October 2015 in Beijing,which has attracted many researchers in this field.The recent scientific results in both solid superlubricity and liquid superlubricity have been presented according to these invited wonderful lectures and posters.In the communication,we gave an introduction to the Workshop on Superlubricity,and also summarized the new achievements of superlubricity during recent years according to these reports.Finally,the problems of superlubricity mechanism and the future development direction of superlubricity are discussed.

Achieving superlubricity in DLC films by controlling bulk, surface, and tribochemistry

Superlubricity refers to a sliding regime in which contacting surfaces move over one another without generating much adhesion or friction[1].From a practical application point of view,this will be the most ideal tribological situation for many moving mechanical systems mainly because friction consumes large amounts of energy and causes greenhouse gas emissions[2].Superlubric sliding can also improve performance and durability of these systems.In this paper,we attempt to provide an overview of how controlled or targeted bulk,surface,or tribochemistry can lead to superlubricity in diamond-like carbon(DLC)films.Specifically,we show that how providing hydrogen into bulk and near surface regions as well as to sliding contact interfaces of DLC films can lead to super-low friction and wear.Incorporation of hydrogen into bulk DLC or near surface regions can be done during deposition or through hydrogen plasma treatment after the deposition.Hydrogen can also be fed into the sliding contact interfaces of DLCs during tribological testing to reduce friction.Due to favorable tribochemical interactions,these interfaces become very rich in hydrogen and thus provide super-low friction after a brief run-in period.Regardless of the method used,when sliding surfaces of DLC films are enriched in hydrogen,they then provide some of the lowest friction coefficients(i.e.,down to 0.001).Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometer(TOF-SIMS)is used to gather evidence on the extent and nature of tribochemical interactions with hydrogen.Based on the tribological and surface analytical findings,we provide a mechanistic model for the critical role of hydrogen on superlubricity of DLC films.

Investigations of the superlubricity of sapphire against ruby under phosphoric acid lubrication

In this study,we address the superlubricity behavior of sapphire against ruby(or sapphire against itself)under phosphoric acid solution lubrication.An ultra-low friction coefficient of 0.004 was obtained under a very high contact pressure,with a virgin contact pressure up to 2.57 GPa.Related experiments have indicated that the load,sliding speed,and humidity of the test environment can affect superlubricity to some degree,so we tested variations in these conditions.When superlubricity appears in this study a thin film is present,consisting of a hydrogen bond network of phosphoric acid and water molecules adsorbed on the two friction surfaces,which accounts for the ultra-low friction.Most significantly,the wear rate of the sapphire and ruby in the friction process is very slow and the superlubricity state is very stable,providing favorable conditions for future technological applications.

Molecular behaviors in thin film lubrication——Part three: Superlubricity attained by polar and nonpolar molecules

In thin-film lubrication(TFL), generally, the viscosity of the lubricant and its coefficient of friction(Co F) increase. Finding a method to reduce the Co F in TFL is a significant challenge for tribologists. In the present work, we report a robust superlubricity attained by using polyalkylene glycols(PAGs, polar molecules) and poly-α-olefins(PAOs, nonpolar molecules) as lubricants on steel/steel friction pairs that have been pre-treated by wearing-in with polyethylene glycol aqueous solution(PEG(aq)). A steady superlubricity state with a Co F of 0.0045 for PAG100 and 0.006 for PAO6 could be maintained for at least 1 h. Various affecting factors, including the sliding velocity, normal load, and viscosity of the lubricants, were investigated. Element analysis proved that composite tribochemical layers were deposited on the worn region after the treatment with PEG(aq). These layers were formed by the tribochemical reactions between PEG and steel and composed of various substances including oxides, iron oxides, Fe OOH, and Fe(OH)3, which contributed to the superlubricity. In addition to the tribochemical layers, ordered layers and a fluid layer were formed by the PAGs and PAOs during the superlubricity periods. All the three types of layers contributed to the superlubricity, indicating that it was attained in the TFL regime. Accordingly, a mechanism was proposed for the superlubricity of the PAGs and PAOs in the TFL regime in this work. This study will increase the scientific understanding of the superlubricity in the TFL regime and reveal, in the future, the potential for designing superlubricity systems on steel surfaces for industrial applications.

Superlubricity achieved with two-dimensional nano-additives to liquid lubricants

The topic of superlubricity is attracting considerable interest around the world while humanity is facing an energy crisis.Since various liquid superlubricity systems can be commonly achieved on the macroscale in ambient conditions,it is considered an effective solution to reduce unnecessary energy and material losses.However,certain practical problems such as low load-bearing pressure,dependence on hydrogen ions,and relatively long running-in processes still limit its widespread application.Two-dimensional(2D)nano-additives with ultrathin longitudinal dimensions can lower the shear resistance between sliding solid surfaces,and thus further optimize the applied conditions.In this review,the latest studies on 2D nano-additives with a combination of various water-based lubricants in the state of superlubricity are reported,typically including black phosphorus(BP),graphene oxide(GO),and layered double hydroxide.During the sliding process,composite lubricants effectively improved the load capacity(up to 600 MPa),reduced wear,and accelerated the running-in period(within 1,000 s)of the liquid superlubricity system.Both macromechanical experiments and microscopic tests are conducted to precisely analyze various interactions at the interfaces of the nano-additives and solid surfaces.These interactions can be described as tribochemical reactions,physical protection,and adsorption enhancement,and improved wear resistance.This review provides better guidance for applying 2D nanomaterials in liquid superlubricity systems.

Hydrodynamic effect on the superlubricity of phosphoric acid between ceramic and sapphire

In this work,a super-low friction coefficient of 0.003 was found between a silicon nitride ball and a sapphire plate lubricated by phosphoric acid solution.The wear mainly occurred in the running-in period and disappeared after superlubricity was achieved.The friction coefficient was effectively reduced from 0.3 to 0.003 at a constant speed of 0.076 m/s,accompanied by a 12-nm-thickness film.The lubrication regime was indicated to change from boundary lubrication in the running-in period to elastohydrodynamic lubrication in the superlubricity period,which is also supported by the results of the friction coefficient versus sliding speed.In addition,the experimental results showed good agreement with theoretical calculations based on the elastohydrodynamic lubrication theory,suggesting a significant hydrodynamic effect of phosphoric acid on superlubricity.