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Controllable Superlubricity of Ricinoleic Acid/Tungsten-Doped Amorphous Carbon Coating Composite System via Water
Pengcheng Ma1,2, Liuqing Yang1,3, Longfei Wu1,3
1State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|June 19, 2025
Summary
Controlling water content in ricinoleic acid with carbon coatings achieves superlubricity. A specific water concentration (13.89 wt %) creates a lubricating layer, significantly reducing friction.
Area of Science:
- Tribology
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Carbon-based coatings and ricinoleic acid show promise for superlubricity.
- The role of water content in this composite system's lubrication is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of water content on the tribological properties of tungsten-doped amorphous carbon coating/ricinoleic acid composite.
- To achieve and understand the mechanism of macroscale superlubricity in this system.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of a tungsten-doped amorphous carbon coating/ricinoleic acid composite system.
- Systematic variation of water content in the ricinoleic acid.
- Measurement of friction coefficient under controlled conditions.
Main Results:
- Superlubricity was achieved by optimizing water content in ricinoleic acid.
- A friction coefficient as low as 0.005 was recorded at 13.89 wt % water.
- Formation of a -(CH2-CH2)n- passivation layer and a hydrogen bond layer was observed.
Conclusions:
- Water content is a critical factor for achieving superlubricity in this composite system.
- The lubricating mechanism involves a robust hydrogen bond layer preventing solid surface contact.
- This study provides insights into designing advanced lubricating materials.
