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From Molecules to Materials: Engineering New Ionic Liquid Crystals Through Halogen Bonding
Published on: March 24, 2018
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Non-halogenated Ionic Liquid Dramatically Enhances Tribological Performance of Biodegradable Oils
Patrick Rohlmann1, Bulat Munavirov1, István Furó2
1Machine Design, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
Frontiers in Chemistry
|March 21, 2019
Summary
A novel phosphonium orthoborate ionic liquid significantly reduces wear in biodegradable oils, decreasing steel surface wear by up to 92%. This wear reduction is linked to the formation of protective boron-rich tribofilms under boundary lubrication conditions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Tribology
- Lubrication Engineering
Background:
- Biodegradable oils are environmentally friendly lubricants.
- Boundary lubrication is critical for wear protection in steel-steel contacts.
- Ionic liquids show promise as advanced lubricant additives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a phosphonium orthoborate ionic liquid as a wear-reducing additive in biodegradable oils.
- To investigate the tribological performance of the ionic liquid in steel-steel boundary lubrication.
- To understand the mechanism of wear reduction.
Main Methods:
- Tribological tests using a ball-on-three plate configuration at 90°C.
- Surface characterization using Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), Focused Ion Beam (FIB), and white light interferometry.
- 11B Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to analyze lubricant composition and decomposition products.
Main Results:
- The phosphonium orthoborate ionic liquid reduced steel surface wear by up to 92% compared to the neat biodegradable oil.
- Formation of boron-enriched patches within the boundary films was observed on the steel surfaces.
- 11B NMR confirmed changes in ionic liquid composition and identified boron-containing decomposition products.
Conclusions:
- Phosphonium orthoborate ionic liquids are effective wear-reducing additives for biodegradable oils in steel-steel boundary lubrication.
- The wear reduction mechanism involves the formation of protective boron-enriched tribofilms.
- This study highlights the potential of ionic liquids for enhancing the performance of sustainable lubricants.
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