Effects of SiO<sub>2</sub> Contaminant on Thermo-Mechanical/Chemical Properties and Lubricity of PFPE Lubricants

Using the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with ReaxFF potential, two different types of PFPE lubricants (Ztetraol and ZTMD) are prepared on a-C film, and SiO<sub>2</sub> particles are adsorbed onto the lubricants at room temperature. From the simulation results, it is observed that t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Shahriar Rahman, Dipesh Purani, Shaikh Ali, Chang-Dong Yeo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
Series:Lubricants
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4442/9/9/90
Description
Summary:Using the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations with ReaxFF potential, two different types of PFPE lubricants (Ztetraol and ZTMD) are prepared on a-C film, and SiO<sub>2</sub> particles are adsorbed onto the lubricants at room temperature. From the simulation results, it is observed that the adsorbed SiO<sub>2</sub> particles increase the stiffness of PFPE lubricants leading to less airshear displacement. Since Ztetraol has higher mobility with lower viscosity than ZTMD, the adsorbed SiO<sub>2</sub> particles penetrate deeper into the Ztetraol lubricants. Accordingly, the effect of SiO<sub>2</sub> on the airshear displacement is more obvious to Ztetraol than ZTMD. In addition, the adsorbed SiO<sub>2</sub> particles increase the friction force and the amount of lubricant pick-up during the sliding contact with a nanosized a-C tip.
ISSN:2075-4442