Synthesis and Tribological Performance of Novel MoxW1−xS2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) Inorganic Fullerenes

Inorganic fullerene-like (IF) MoS2 and WS2 nanoparticles were found to be good friction modifiers and anti-wear additives when dispersed in a lubricant. Their tribological performance seems to be related to the structure, size, and shape of these nanomaterials. The present study describes the tribological properties of a new inorganic fullerene IF-MoxW1−xS2 containing both molybdenum and tungsten disulfide under boundary lubrication. MoxW1−xS2 amorphous inorganic fullerene nanostructures were synthesized by means of MOCVD using an induction furnace setup. The average diameters range from 25 to 45 nm. Upon variation of the amounts of precursors and S, various solid solutions of IF-MoxW1−xS2 were obtained. In addition, a morphological, chemical, and structural analysis of the samples was performed using high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Friction experiments were carried out with a ball-on-flat contact using an environmental tribometer. The results show interesting friction reducing and wear properties of these nanomaterials. The change in the molecule stoichiometry, which led to a variation of particles size but also to a variation of the crystallinity of the particles, affects the tribological performance.

[1]  Sidney R. Cohen,et al.  The tribological behavior of type II textured MX2 (M = Mo, W; X = S, Se) films , 1998 .

[2]  L. Fang,et al.  Wear reduction mechanism of graphite and MoS2 in epoxy composites , 2004 .

[3]  R. Tenne,et al.  How stable are inorganic fullerene-like particles? Thermal analysis (STA) of inorganic fullerene-like NbS2, MoS2, and WS2 in oxidizing and inert atmospheres in comparison with the bulk material , 2004 .

[4]  R. Tenne,et al.  Polyhedral and cylindrical structures of tungsten disulphide , 1992, Nature.

[5]  S. Prasad,et al.  Tribology of tungsten disulfide films in humid environments:: The role of a tailored metal-matrix composite substrate , 1999 .

[6]  U. S. Schwarz,et al.  Deformation and tribology of multi-walled hollow nanoparticles , 2000, cond-mat/0005017.

[7]  R. Tenne,et al.  High-Rate, Gas-Phase Growth of MoS2 Nested Inorganic Fullerenes and Nanotubes , 1995, Science.

[8]  C. Rao,et al.  Mo1−xWxS2 nanotubes and related structures , 2002 .

[9]  W. Jaegermann,et al.  Controlled photocorrosion of tungsten diselenide: influence of molecular oxygen , 1990 .

[10]  H. A. Therese,et al.  Metal–Organic Chemical Vapor Depostion Synthesis of Hollow Inorganic‐Fullerene‐Type MoS2 and MoSe2 Nanoparticles , 2005 .

[11]  Tetsu Mieno,et al.  Ultralow friction and wear behaviour of Ni/Y-based single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) , 2004 .

[12]  H. A. Therese,et al.  Selective Synthesis of Hollow and Filled Fullerene-like (IF) WS2 Nanoparticles via Metal–Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition , 2007 .

[13]  N. Fleischer,et al.  Ultralow-friction and wear properties of IF-WS2 under boundary lubrication , 2005 .

[14]  R. Tenne,et al.  Morphology of nested fullerenes. , 1995, Physical review letters.

[15]  M. Belin.  Triboscopy: A new quantitative tool for microtribology , 1993 .

[16]  B. Reynard,et al.  Pressure-induced exfoliation of inorganic fullerene-like WS2 particles in a Hertzian contact , 2006 .

[17]  Sidney R. Cohen,et al.  Hollow nanoparticles of WS2 as potential solid-state lubricants , 1997, Nature.

[18]  R. Tenne,et al.  Inorganic fullerene-like material as additives to lubricants: structure–function relationship , 1999 .

[19]  M. Matsui,et al.  Improvement of tribological performance of steel by solid lubricant shot-peening in dry rolling/sliding contact wear tests , 2006 .

[20]  G.Sa..  The friction and lubrication of solids, part II: by F. P. Bowden and D. Tabor, Clarendon Press: Oxford University Press; 534 pp.; 250 figures; 40 plates; 16 × 24 cm; price in U.K.: 84 s. net , 1964 .

[21]  F. Clauss.  Solid lubricants and self-lubricating solids , 1972 .

[22]  R. Tenne,et al.  Mechanisms of ultra-low friction by hollow inorganic fullerene-like MoS2 nanoparticles , 2002 .

[23]  K. Wong,et al.  Surface and friction characterization of MoS2 and WS2 third body thin films under simulated wheel/rail rolling–sliding contact , 2008 .

[24]  H. Friedman,et al.  Fullerene-like MoS2 Nanoparticles and Their Tribological Behavior , 2009 .