Friction and wear reducing mechanisms of novel lubricant formulations revealed by NEXAFS

Purpose and goal

The main purpose of this project, to unveil the structure and molecular composition of the boundary layers, induced by the novel ionic liquids, using Near Edge X-Ray Absorption Fine Structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy combined with angle resolved X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), has been achieved. The knowledge, generated in the project, contributed to the development of more efficient (low friction and reduced wear) lubricant formulations for industrial and automotive applications with a special focus on electric machinery.

Expected results and effects

The project has contributed to the development of the experience and competence in using synchrotron based surface analysis techniques in both academia and industry. Industrial collaborators have benefited in getting the knowledge on how to apply such spectroscopic techniques to enable more enhanced lubricant formulations. Project results have also helped with the development of low friction and reduced wear lubrication technologies for electric machinery contributing to the work towards carbon neutral society.

Planned approach and implementation

Model lubricant formulations were designed together with the participating companies. They were tested using tribometers at the participating companies to show our industrial collaborators how to prepare samples for the surface analyses at the synchrotron facility. A combination of NEXAFS and XPS was used to analyse molecular composition and structure of boundary films formed on the test surfaces to get the most accurate information about their nature. Data analyses were performed with the help of a PhD student and a beam-line scientist.