Molecular Functionality and Nanoparticle Influence on Surface Tribopolymerization

Tribology has been increasingly relied on due to emerging technologies requiring more efficient lubrication and surface protection qualities. Processes in mechanochemistry rise to mitigate these issues, as research continues to look for tribochemical reactions that allow for antiwear film formation. This work is aimed at developing a deeper understanding of surface chemistry, and the different impacts that various molecules have on tribopolymerization and surface wear. Molecules comparing relative positions of alkene and alcohol functionalities, cis-2-nonen-1-ol and 8-nonen-1-ol, are added to a polyalphaolefin oil (PAO4) and used as lubricants in sliding processes subjected to steel on steel interactions. The use of nanoparticles, specifically nanodiamonds, are also implemented in order to observe impacts on tribopolymerization as well as wear, which is analyzed using optical microscopy. An in depth understanding of tribopolymerization resulting from different surface chemistries and molecular structures could result in advancing surface lubrication schemes.