Tribological evaluation of α, -diimidazoliumalkylene hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid and benzotriazole as additive

Ionic liquids of α, -diimidazoliumalkylene hexafluorophosphate were synthesized. The tribological properties of the synthetic ionic liquid and the ionic liquid contained additive for contacts of steel/steel were investigated by Optimol SRV oscillating friction and wear tester under ambient conditions. The synthetic ionic liquid presented low friction coefficients and small wear volumes, especially under higher temperatures. The ionic liquid doped with benzotriazole (BTA) showed excellent anti-wear ability. The worn surfaces and chemical nature of the boundary films generated on the metal surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). SEM results showed slight abrasion on the worn surfaces and XPS results indicated the formation of FeF₂, FeF₃, Fe₃O₄, and FePO₄ by the tribochemical reactions of ionic liquid with iron during the sliding process.