Macroscale superlubricity of steel by polymer-based ionic liquids without a running-in period

Huanyi Chen, Tao Cai, Hua Li, Xinxin Ruan, Chengcheng Jiao, Rob Atkin, Yandong Wang, Ping Gong, Xiangyang Zhou, Jinhong Yu, Nan Jiang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A series of polymer-based ionic liquids (PILs) with a flexible and electron-rich polymeric chain attached to the cation have been designed as lubricants for steel-steel systems. Compared to widely used poly-alpha olefin (PAO) and commercial lubricants, the PIL lubricants show noticeably lower friction and better surface protection. Notably, for the PIL, ionic liquids based on 2, 5-furandicarboxylic acid (FA-IL), macroscale superlubricity is achieved immediately (without a running-in period) when the temperature is 75 °C and higher. Surface characterizations and molecular dynamics simulations show superlubricity results from the robust lubricating film immediately formed at the steel surface due to the rapid adsorption of FA-IL ions via multiple sites. This work provides new insights into the design of macroscale superlubricity systems.

Original languageEnglish
Article number108349
JournalTribology International
Volume182
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2023

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