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Direct visualization of sliding-induced tribofilm on Au/MoS2 nanocomposite coatings by c-AFM

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Abstract

The nanoscale lubrication mechanism of nanocomposite Au/MoS2 solid lubricant coatings has been studied by conductive atomic force microscopy (c-AFM). A direct visualization of the lubricating process suggests tribomechanical formation of a MoS2 tribofilm to be a key mechanism. The sliding-induced tribofilm formation was visualized by a reduction in local friction and conductivity in nanoscale AFM images. The tribofilm was found to possess considerable crystallinity and orientation, which was not observed in the as-deposited coatings. The observed mechanism is broadly applicable to a range of nanocomposite metal/MoS2 coatings.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. S. V. Didziulis of The Aerospace Corporation for helpful discussions. This work was supported by The Aerospace Corporation’s Independent Research and Development (IR&D) program. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tribology Section, Micro/Nano Technology Department, The Aerospace Corporation, PO Box 92957 – M2/271, Los Angeles, CA, 90009-2957, USA

    Hyun I. Kim & Jeffrey R. Lince

Authors
  1. Hyun I. Kim
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  2. Jeffrey R. Lince
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Correspondence to Hyun I. Kim.

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Kim, H.I., Lince, J.R. Direct visualization of sliding-induced tribofilm on Au/MoS2 nanocomposite coatings by c-AFM. Tribol Lett 26, 61–65 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-006-9183-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-006-9183-8

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