Multi-environmental lubrication performance and lubrication mechanism of MoS2/Sb2O3/C composite films

MoS₂–Sb₂O₃–C composite films exhibit adaptive behavior, where surface chemistry changes with environment to maintain the good friction and wear characteristics. In previous work on nanocomposite coatings grown by PVD, this type of material was called a “chameleon” coating. Coatings used in this report were applied by burnishing mixed powders of MoS₂, Sb₂O₃ and graphite. The solid lubricant MoS₂ and graphite were selected to lubricate over a wide and complementary range including vacuum, dry air and humid air. Sb₂O₃ was used as a dopant because it acts synergistically with MoS₂, improving friction and wear properties. The MoS₂–Sb₂O₃–C composite films showed lower friction and longer wear life than either single component MoS₂ or C film in humid air. Very or even super low friction and long wear-life were observed in dry nitrogen and vacuum. The excellent tribological performance was verified and repeated in cycles between humid air and dry nitrogen. The formation of tribo-films at rubbing contacts was studied to identify the lubricating chemistry and microstructure, which varied with environmental conditions. Micro-Raman spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) were used to determine surface chemistry, while scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used for microstructural analysis. The tribological improvement and lubrication mechanism of MoS₂–Sb₂O₃–C composite films were caused by enrichment of the active lubricant at the contact surface, alignment of the crystal orientation of the lubricant grains, and enrichment of the non lubricant materials below the surface. Sb₂O₃, which is not lubricious, was covered by the active lubricants (MoS₂ – dry, C – humid air). Clearly, the dynamics of friction during environmental cycling cleaned some Sb₂O₃ particles of one lubricant and coated it with the active lubricant for the specific environment. Mechanisms of lubrication and the role of the different materials will be discussed.