Chromium-doped Diamond-like Carbon Research Articles

Tribological properties of DLC and GLC coating for automotive engine components application under lubrication

Modern automotive designs are needed to increase mechanical and thermal loads that have longer lifespans and are lighter. The power transmissions and motors often use low-friction hard coatings to prevent wear and reduce friction. The Cr-doped graphite-like carbon method is employed for evaluating coating friction and responses to chromium-doped graphite-like carbon (Cr-GLC) under lubrication. Cr-GLC coatings and chromium-doped diamond-like carbon (Cr-DLC) coatings are arranged using physical vapor deposition (PVD) and plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), respectively. The results have demonstrated in comparison to the dry friction coefficient, the friction coefficient under lubrication conditions has been reduced by 40%. Due to its excellent frictional physicochemical properties and compact microstructure, Cr-DLC has an optimum tribological resistance that is significantly higher than that of Cr-GLC. Viscosity, corrosivity, and coating microstructure are used to measure the impact of composite elements. The most ideal characteristics of the Cr-GLC coating are attributed to the non-reaction of additives in oil with friction surfaces.

Comparing space adaptability of diamond-like carbon and molybdenum disulfide films toward synergistic lubrication

Space irradiation-induced damage to onefold lubricants including four multialkylated cyclopentanes (MACs) space greases, Chromium doped diamond-like carbon (Cr-DLC) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) films was first investigated under simulated space environment (atomic oxygen (AO) and proton (PR)). Then solid-grease synergistic lubrication systems were prepared via spinning four space greases on Cr-DLC and MoS2 film, and their tribological behaviors were evaluated under simulated space environment including ultra-vacuum, AO and PR irradiation, low temperature (−100 °C). The irradiated damage mechanism and friction mechanism were explored by surface/interface analysis techniques. The results demonstrates that Cr-DLC film have better space adaptability than MoS2 film because irradiation induced partial transition of Cr-DLC’s micro-structure with the decrease in ID/IG ratio from 1.50 to 1.26 and the increase of sp3 content from 0.24 to 0.59, while the surface morphology and micro-structure of MoS2 film have dramatically changed. Solid-grease synergistic lubrication systems provide excellent friction-reducing and anti-wear behaviors (friction coefficient can be reduced up to below 0.05 under the special working conditions). Such excellent tribological performance of Cr-DLC-grease lubrication coatings is attributed to the friction-induced graphitization at the sliding interface, while that of MoS2 film mainly depends on its original structure/merits under greases lubrication.

Tribological and Electrical Properties of Chromium Doped Diamond-Like Carbon Films Deposited by Unbalanced Magnetron Sputtering

Tribological and Electrical Properties of Chromium Doped Diamond-Like Carbon Films Deposited by Unbalanced Magnetron Sputtering

Raman and EPR spectroscopic studies of chromium-doped diamond-like carbon films

The diamond-like carbon (Cr-free DLC) and chromium-doped DLC (Cr doped-DLC) films prepared by a hybrid technology using a combination of pulsed laser deposition and magnetron sputtering were studied by Raman and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Raman spectra are dominated by the well-known carbon (D/G) band. The intensity ratio of the D/G bands was found to increase with the increase of the Cr content. Careful elimination of the substrate-related (SiO2) peaks enabled us to identify new weak features attributable to the presence of the CCr bonds. Two EPR signals were observed in Cr-free and Cr-doped DLC films. The EPR signal at g = 2.0025(3) was attributed to the sp2 coordinated carbon-related defect (CRD) and the second EPR signal at g = 2.0064 was assigned to the Pb0 interface defect which may appear due to the formation of the oxidized Si on the interface of the DLC film and SiO2 substrate. The observed temperature behavior of the CRD EPR signal g-factor in Cr free DLC films was described by the model of exchange coupled two spin systems (localized defects and conduction electrons) in the bottleneck regime. From the temperature dependence of the linewidth and integral intensity of the CRD EPR signal it was concluded that ferromagnetic ordering occurs in the spin system with exchange constant of J = 0.069 meV. The spin density of the CRD was found to be significantly decreased in Cr-doped DLC films, possibly due to the formation of the CCr bonds. The observed change of the CRD lineshape from Lorentzian in Cr free DLC films to Gaussian in Cr-doped DLC films indicates that there is a superhyperfine coupling between unpaired spins of the CRD and surrounding Cr nuclei.

Corrosion and Wear Behaviors of Cr-Doped Diamond-Like Carbon Coatings

A combination of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition and magnetron sputtering techniques has been employed to deposit chromium-doped diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings on stainless steel, silicon and glass substrates. The concentrations of Cr in the coatings are varied by changing the parameters of the bipolar pulsed power supply and the argon/acetylene gas composition. The coatings have been studied for composition, morphology, surface nature, nanohardness, corrosion resistance and wear resistance properties. The changes in I D /I G ratio with Cr concentrations have been obtained from Raman spectroscopy studies. Ratio decreases with an increase in Cr concentration, and it has been found to increase at higher Cr concentration, indicating the disorder in the coating. Carbide is formed in Cr-doped DLC coatings as observed from XPS studies. There is a decrease in sp 3/sp 2 ratios with an increase in Cr concentration, and it increases again at higher Cr concentration. Nanohardness studies show no clear dependence of hardness on Cr concentration. DLC coatings with lower Cr contents have demonstrated better corrosion resistance with better passive behavior in 3.5% NaCl solution, and corrosion potential is observed to move toward nobler (more positive) values. A low coefficient of friction (0.15) at different loads is observed from reciprocating wear studies. Lower wear volume is found at all loads on the Cr-doped DLC coatings. Wear mechanism changes from abrasive wear on the substrate to adhesive wear on the coating.

Adhesion and differentiation of Saos-2 osteoblast-like cells on chromium-doped diamond-like carbon coatings.

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films are promising for use in coating orthopaedic, dental and cardiovascular implants. The problem of DLC layers lies in their weak layer adhesion to metal implants. Chromium is used as a dopant for improving the adhesion of DLC films. Cr-DLC layers were prepared by a hybrid technology, using a combination of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) from a graphite target and magnetron sputtering. Depending on the deposition conditions, the concentration of Cr in the DLC layers moved from zero to 10.0 at.%. The effect of DLC layers with 0.0, 0.9, 1.8, 7.3, 7.7 and 10.0 at.% Cr content on the adhesion and osteogenic differentiation of human osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells was assessed in vitro. The DLC samples that contained 7.7 and 10.0 at.% of Cr supported cell spreading on day 1 after seeding. On day three after seeding, the most apparent vinculin-containing focal adhesion plaques were also found on samples with higher concentrations of chromium. On the other hand, the expression of type I collagen and alkaline phosphatase at the mRNA and protein level was the highest on Cr-DLC samples with a lower concentration of Cr (0-1.8 at.%). We can conclude that higher concentrations of chromium supported cell adhesion; however DLC and DLC doped with a lower concentration of chromium supported osteogenic cell differentiation.

Effect of chromium-doped diamond-like carbon on growth and differentiation of Saos-2 osteoblast-like cells and on cytokine production of RAW 264.7 monocytes

Effect of chromium-doped diamond-like carbon on growth and differentiation of Saos-2 osteoblast-like cells and on cytokine production of RAW 264.7 monocytes

Chromium-doped diamond-like carbon films deposited by dual-pulsed laser deposition

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) and Cr-doped diamond-like carbon layers were studied. DLC and Cr-DLC were deposited on silicon and titanium substrates (Ti-6Al-4V) by dual-pulsed laser ablation using two KrF excimer lasers and two targets (graphite and chromium). The composition was analyzed using wavelength-dependent X-ray spectroscopy. The Cr content increased from 2.2 to 17.9 at%. The topology and surface properties as roughness of layers were studied using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. With the chromium concentration increased the roughness and the number of droplets. Carbon and chromium bonds were determined by Raman spectroscopy. With an increase in chromium content the ID/IG ratio increased. Mechanical properties of DLC films with various chromium content were evaluated. Hardness (reduced Young’s modulus) was determined by nanoindentation and reached of 51 GPa (309 GPa). Films adhesion was studied using scratch test and with concentration of chromium increased up to 20 N.

Microstructure and surface properties of chromium-doped diamond-like carbon thin films fabricated by high power pulsed magnetron sputtering

High power pulsed magnetron sputtering (HPPMS) has attracted much interest due to the large plasma density and high ionization rate of sputtered materials. It is expected to produce a highly ionized C flux from a graphite target but unfortunately, the ionization rate of carbon is still very small and the discharge on a solid carbon target is unstable as well. In this work, a stable discharged chromium target is used in the preparation of chromium-doped diamond-like carbon (Cr-DLC) films in HPPMS in reactive C2H2 gas, but the unstable graphite. The chromium concentration in the Cr-DLC films is limited by surface poisoning due to reactive gas. Less than 2% of Cr is incorporated into the DLC films at C2H2 flow rate of 5sccm or higher. However, as a result of the high ionization rate of the reactive gas in HPPMS, intense ion bombardment of the substrate is realized. The films show a smooth surface and a dense structure with a large sp3 concentration. As the C2H2 flow increase, the sp3 fraction increase and the sp3 to sp2 ratio increase to 0.75at a C2H2 flow rate of 10sccm. Compared to the substrate, the Cr-DLC films have lower friction and exhibit excellent corrosion resistance.

Friction and wear performance of diamond-like carbon and Cr-doped diamond-like carbon coatings in contact with steel surfaces

The development of modern engines involves the use of new materials such as diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings. As these coatings possess different mechanical and physical characteristics to steel, investigation of their friction and wear properties when rubbing against a steel counterpart in a lubricated environment is needed. Specific tests were used to assess the tribological behaviour of these new surfaces (specifically an undoped DLC and a chromium-doped DLC coating). Chemical analyses were also performed in order to evaluate the reactivity of the formulated oil on the various surfaces. The results of the present work clearly show that there was no evidence of tribochemical reaction on DLC coatings. Anti-wear additives were still reacting on the steel counterpart for the undoped DLC case, resulting in better wear properties for the coating. The addition of a metal to the amorphous carbon matrix led to an improvement in wear but inhibited/removed the anti-wear film on the steel counterpart.

Z-contrast imaging and electron energy-loss spectroscopy analysis of chromium-doped diamond-like carbon films

Metal-doped diamond-like carbon films were produced for the purpose of an electrochemical nanoelectrode. In this study we use Z-contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy to directly observe metal cluster formation and distributions within the chromium-doped carbon films. At low doping (∼6 at. % Cr), Cr is uniformly distributed within the C matrix; at high doping (∼12 at. % Cr), Cr-rich clusters are formed. Analyzing electron energy loss spectroscopy Cr L2,3 white line ratios, we find that the Cr tends to be metallic-like when it is uniformly distributed in the C matrix and carbide-like in the Cr-rich clusters. The carbon is more diamond-like at low doping and more graphite/carbide-like at high doping according to the sp2/sp3 electron percentage measurements.

Study of Chromium-Doped Diamond-Like Carbon by Z-Contrast Imaging and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy

ABSTRACTMetal-doped diamond-like carbon films were produced for the purpose of an electrochemical nano-electrode. In this study we use Z-contrast scanning transmission electron microscopy to directly observe metal cluster formation and distributions within the chromium-doped carbon films. At low doping (∼6at%Cr), Cr is uniformly distributed; at high doping (∼12at%Cr), Cr-rich clusters are formed. Using electron energy loss spectroscopy, we find that the Cr clusters tend to be metallic-like at low doping levels and carbide-like at high doping levels according to the Cr L2.3 white line ratios. The carbon is more diamond-like at low doping and more graphite/carbide like at high doping according to the sp2/sp3 electron percentage measurements.