Nanotribology of protic ionic liquids: Green lubricants for micro-/nano-electromechanical devices

Emily D. Cranston; Oliver Werzer; Rubén Álvarez; Rob Atkin; Mark W. Rutland

Abstract

The negligible vapor pressure and friction-reducing abilities of ionic liquids make them ideal candidates as green lubricants. Here we show that ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), a room-temperature ionic liquid, significantly alters energy dissipation between surfaces. Colloidal-probe atomic force microscopy was used to study nano-scale friction between silica, mica, alumina and teflon. Fundamental investigations in a model system imply that three friction regimes exist at low applied loads which correspond to structured EAN layers being sheared. The onset of the regimes is rate dependant and hydrodynamics play a dominant role. For industrially relevant material combinations in EAN, bringing the surfaces together quickly resulted in strong repulsive forces and eliminated attractive forces (electrostatic, capillary, van der Waals) and adhesion, responsible for stiction/wear in miniaturized devices. Moreover, at fast rates and high loads both the friction magnitude and the friction coefficient were decreased in EAN, compared to measurements in air and aqueous solutions.

Original language	English
Publication status	Published - 2011
Externally published	Yes
Event	241st National Meeting and Exposition of the American-Chemical-Society - Anaheim, United States Duration: 27 Mar 2011 → 31 Mar 2011

Conference

Conference	241st National Meeting and Exposition of the American-Chemical-Society
Abbreviated title	ACS
Country	United States
City	Anaheim
Period	27/03/11 → 31/03/11

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title = "Nanotribology of protic ionic liquids: Green lubricants for micro-/nano-electromechanical devices",

abstract = "The negligible vapor pressure and friction-reducing abilities of ionic liquids make them ideal candidates as green lubricants. Here we show that ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), a room-temperature ionic liquid, significantly alters energy dissipation between surfaces. Colloidal-probe atomic force microscopy was used to study nano-scale friction between silica, mica, alumina and teflon. Fundamental investigations in a model system imply that three friction regimes exist at low applied loads which correspond to structured EAN layers being sheared. The onset of the regimes is rate dependant and hydrodynamics play a dominant role. For industrially relevant material combinations in EAN, bringing the surfaces together quickly resulted in strong repulsive forces and eliminated attractive forces (electrostatic, capillary, van der Waals) and adhesion, responsible for stiction/wear in miniaturized devices. Moreover, at fast rates and high loads both the friction magnitude and the friction coefficient were decreased in EAN, compared to measurements in air and aqueous solutions.",

author = "Cranston, {Emily D.} and Oliver Werzer and Rub{\'e}n {\'A}lvarez and Rob Atkin and Rutland, {Mark W.}",

year = "2011",

language = "English",

note = "241st National Meeting and Exposition of the American-Chemical-Society, ACS ; Conference date: 27-03-2011 Through 31-03-2011",

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T2 - 241st National Meeting and Exposition of the American-Chemical-Society

AU - Cranston, Emily D.

AU - Werzer, Oliver

AU - Álvarez, Rubén

AU - Atkin, Rob

AU - Rutland, Mark W.

PY - 2011

Y1 - 2011

N2 - The negligible vapor pressure and friction-reducing abilities of ionic liquids make them ideal candidates as green lubricants. Here we show that ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), a room-temperature ionic liquid, significantly alters energy dissipation between surfaces. Colloidal-probe atomic force microscopy was used to study nano-scale friction between silica, mica, alumina and teflon. Fundamental investigations in a model system imply that three friction regimes exist at low applied loads which correspond to structured EAN layers being sheared. The onset of the regimes is rate dependant and hydrodynamics play a dominant role. For industrially relevant material combinations in EAN, bringing the surfaces together quickly resulted in strong repulsive forces and eliminated attractive forces (electrostatic, capillary, van der Waals) and adhesion, responsible for stiction/wear in miniaturized devices. Moreover, at fast rates and high loads both the friction magnitude and the friction coefficient were decreased in EAN, compared to measurements in air and aqueous solutions.

AB - The negligible vapor pressure and friction-reducing abilities of ionic liquids make them ideal candidates as green lubricants. Here we show that ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), a room-temperature ionic liquid, significantly alters energy dissipation between surfaces. Colloidal-probe atomic force microscopy was used to study nano-scale friction between silica, mica, alumina and teflon. Fundamental investigations in a model system imply that three friction regimes exist at low applied loads which correspond to structured EAN layers being sheared. The onset of the regimes is rate dependant and hydrodynamics play a dominant role. For industrially relevant material combinations in EAN, bringing the surfaces together quickly resulted in strong repulsive forces and eliminated attractive forces (electrostatic, capillary, van der Waals) and adhesion, responsible for stiction/wear in miniaturized devices. Moreover, at fast rates and high loads both the friction magnitude and the friction coefficient were decreased in EAN, compared to measurements in air and aqueous solutions.

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