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Review Article | Open Access

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

Ali ERDEMIR1(), Osman ERYILMAZ1
Energy Systems Division, Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 S. Cass Avenue, Argonne, IL 60439, USA
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

Superlubricitydiamond-like carbonTOF-SIMStest environmentlubrication mechanisms

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Friction
Volume 2 Issue 2,
June 2014
Pages 140-155
DOI: 10.1007/s40544-014-0055-1
Cite this article:
ERDEMIR A, ERYILMAZ O. Achieving superlubricity in DLC films by controlling bulk, surface, and tribochemistry. Friction, 2014, 2(2): 140-155. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-014-0055-1
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10.1007/s40544-014-0055-1.T001Summary of reported superlubricity studies on doped-DLCs.

DLC typeTest environmentFriction coefficientReferences
N-dopedNitrogen0.005[38, 39]
Si-doped DLCHigh vacuum0.007[40]
F-doped DLCUltra-high vacuum0.005[41]
S-doped DLCHumid air0.004[42]
Fullerene-like DLCAir, 20 N load0.009[43]

10.1007/s40544-014-0055-1.T002Friction coefficients of hydrogen-free or -poor DLC coatings tested in hydrogen environment.

Test pairTest environmentFriction coefficientReferences used
a-C coated ball/a-C coated disk10 torr Ar0.6Authors’ experiment
a-C coated ball/a-C coated disk10 torr H20.03Authors’ experiment
a-C coated ball/a-C coated disk10 torr D20.01Authors’ experiment
a-C:H containing 34 at.% hydrogen7.5 Torr H20.002[46]
Al pin/a-C coated diskN20.7[50]
Al pin/a-C coated diskH2-He mixture (40 vol.% H2-60 vol.% He)0.015[50]