Nanotribology and Nanoscale Materials Coatings for Lubricants

Abstract

Abstract Nanotribology is defined as a fundamental research field of tribology viewed from the perspective of atoms and molecules. In this paper, tribology of nanomaterials is overviewed with a focus on advanced carbon materials. The recent development of surface tools with atomic resolution that can be used in nanotribology is firstly introduced in this paper. Advanced carbon materials including C60, carbon nanotube (CNT), and onion-like carbon (OLC) are considered having lubricating ability in nanoscale. The advantages and disadvantages of above-mentioned materials working as carbon-based nanolubricants are then discussed, and the manufacture process of them in large quantities is briefly reviewed. The methodology to examine the friction- reducing property of nanocarbon materials in boundary lubrication is reviewed, where OLC film showed very low friction and it is effective for reducing friction and wear when added in synthetic lubricant oil. The approaches for coating uniform films of nanolubricants (C60, CNT, and OLC film) are discussed. The high-resolution TEM (HR-TEM) image of OLC and cross section of CNT is shown in this paper, indicating both of them have atomic-scale intrusions and protrusions on surface. The nanocarbons and other lubricants in conjunction with 1D structured film formation through tribological processes are then compared in this research.