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Extraordinary self-lubrication properties of non-hydrogenated diamond-like carbon films under humid atmosphere

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Abstract

Tribological properties of non-hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (DLC) films were investigated under humid (RH=80%) and dry (RH=5%) air. These films were deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) at different substrate temperatures. Tribological properties of DLC fabricated by PLD is not sensitive to the relative humidity of testing environment. Because of the unique growth mechanism of DLC prepared by PLD, DLC is of “soft-hard” double layers, having a very low friction coefficient and wear rate under humid atmosphere. The minimum coefficient and wear rate of film under humid circumstance are 0.045 and 5.94×10−10 mm3N−1m−1, respectively, just a little bit more than those under dry condition. The root means square roughness of film is less than 1 nm. The sp3 content of film grown at room temperature (RT) is 72%, and the sp3 content decreases with temperature. Raman spectrum shows that the micro-structure is amorphous network. The largest hardness and elastic modulus of film are 51 GPa and 350 GPa, respectively and they reduce with increase of deposition temperature too. Water contact angles on surface are more than 90° which indicates that films fabricated by PLD are hydrophobic with low surface energy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics of Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China

    Feng Wang, ShengYin Li & WeiGuo Sun

  2. Centre of Laser Fusion Research of CAEP, Mianyang, 621900, China

    Feng Wang, WeiDong Wu, Jun Li, ShengYin Li & YongJian Tang

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  1. Feng Wang
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  2. WeiDong Wu
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  3. Jun Li
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  4. ShengYin Li
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Correspondence to WeiDong Wu.

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Wang, F., Wu, W., Li, J. et al. Extraordinary self-lubrication properties of non-hydrogenated diamond-like carbon films under humid atmosphere. Sci. China Ser. E-Technol. Sci. 52, 850–856 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-008-0177-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-008-0177-7

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