A Systematic Review of the Recent Advances in Superlubricity Research

Abstract

Friction and the wear caused by friction will not only lead to energy dissipation, but will also cause damage to the function of mechanical parts, affecting the precision and lifespan of mechanical devices. Superlubricity as an ideal state of zero friction has become a hot research topic in recent years. There have been many reviews on the concept, origin, and research progress of superlubricity, but, among them, there are more presentations on the research status of solid superlubricity and liquid superlubricity; however, the theoretical summarization of solid–liquid combined superlubricity and high-temperature superlubricity is still imperfect and lacks a systematic and comprehensive review. The mechanism of superlubricity is not explicitly presented in many reviews, which are clearly summarized in this paper. This paper introduces superlubricity from friction, and then introduces the origin of superlubricity, and presents the research progress on superlubricityby separating it into in four categories: liquid superlubricity, solid superlubricity, solid–liquid combined superlubricity, and high-temperature superlubricity. By analyzing the superlubricity system, the mechanism of realizing various types of superlubricity, such as incommensurability, hydration, and oxidation, is summarized. Based on the research progress of superlubricity, the development prospects, opportunities, and challenges of superlubricity in the future are discussed.

Structural Superlubricity of Two-Dimensional Materials: Mechanisms, Properties, Influencing Factors, and Applications

“…Additionally, as the mechanisms of structural superlubricity continue to develop on larger scales, it presents numerous possibilities for enhancing the service performance and structural stability of various macroscopic devices. For instance, in the machinery industry, it can enhance the friction and wear resistance, as well as the service life of engines, turbines, gears, bearings, and other structural components [12,130]. In medicine, it can improve the precision and efficiency of medical-surgical systems and biodetection systems, as well as enhancing the performance of artificial joints and organs [12,131].…”

“…For instance, in the machinery industry, it can enhance the friction and wear resistance, as well as the service life of engines, turbines, gears, bearings, and other structural components [12,130]. In medicine, it can improve the precision and efficiency of medical-surgical systems and biodetection systems, as well as enhancing the performance of artificial joints and organs [12,131]. In aerospace and space exploration, it can improve the structural stability of related devices under extreme conditions [21,25].…”

“…Some materials achieve superlubricity via the mechanism of structural superlubricity, which has been used in MEMS as ultra-wear-resistant nanocomponents [6,8]; exceptionally, amorphous carbon materials like diamond-like carbon (DLC) have also exhibited superlubricity due to their tribochemistry-induced allotropic transitions [9], such as α-C to α-C: H transitions [10] or surface-localized sp 2 hybridization [11], which form tribochemical films on the surface. Liquid superlubricity involves using acidic solvents, such as phosphoric acid and salicylic acid, as well as ionic liquids, which have been used in medical devices such as tracheal intubation [12]. These substances combine with the lubricant to form a hydrated layer, which is assisted by the acid and relies on a hydrodynamic mechanism to achieve superlubricity [13].…”

Study on High-Temperature, Ultra-Low Wear Behaviors of Ti6Al4V Alloy with Thermal Oxidation Treatment

“…Therefore, improving the wear resistance of Ti6Al4V alloy blade tips is crucial for the safety and lifetime of aero engines. For a Ti6Al4V alloy, thermal oxidation (TO) is a simple and efficient means to enhance its wear resistance due to the high affinity of titanium for oxygen and the high hardness of titanium dioxide [13][14][15][16].…”

Thermal Stability and High-Temperature Super Low Friction of γ-Fe2O3@SiO2 Nanocomposite Coatings on Steel

“…Solid lubricants are usually applied to minimize tribology under conditions including a simultaneous occurrence of high temperature in mechanical systems [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. There are multi-functional compounds (DLC films, WS 2 , h-BN, MXens, etc.)…”