Tribological behavior of N-doped ZnO thin films by metal organic chemical vapor deposition under lubricated contacts

Abstract

N-doped ZnO thin films were deposited on 304L stainless steel through the pyrolysis of zinc acetate and ammonium acetate in different ratios at a temperature of 420 °C using metal organic chemical vapor deposition. Compositional and structural analyzes of the films were performed by using Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The frictional behavior of the thin films and 304L stainless steel substrate was evaluated using a ball-on-flat configuration with reciprocating sliding under marginally lubricated and fully flooded conditions. Al alloy (2017) was used as ball counterface, while basestock synthetic polyalfaolefin oil (PAO10) without additives was used as lubricant. The flat and ball counterface surfaces were examined to assess the wear dimension and failure mechanism. Under marginally lubricated condition, N-doped ZnO thin films provided significant reduction in friction, whereas the films have minimal or no effect in friction under fully flooded condition. N-doped ZnO thin films showed a significant effect in protecting the ball counterface as wear volume was reduced compared with that of the substrate under the marginally lubricated condition. Under the fully flooded condition, with the exception of one of the films, the wear volume of the N-doped ZnO thin films ball reduced compared with that of the substrate. In all the ball counterfaces for N-doped ZnO thin films under both conditions, wear occurred through abrasive mechanism of various degrees or mild polishing. Thus, superfluous lubrication of N-doped ZnO thin films is not necessary to reduce friction and wear.

Abrasion Resistance of S235, S355, C45, AISI 304 and Hardox 500 Steels with Usage of Garnet, Corundum and Carborundum Abrasives

“…Additionally, the thermal spray technology is applied to deposit the wear resistant coatings e.g. Łatka et al [15] conducted the research on the atmospheric plasma sprayed Al 2 O 3 +13wt.%TiO 2 ceramic coatings on X5CrNi18-10 substrate, in other work HVOF (High Velocity Oxygen Fuel) method was used to spray the M(Ni,Co)CrAlY and Cr 3 C 2 -NiCr composite coatings onto stainless steel [33] or a flame sprayed Ni-and Fe-based coatings fabricated on mild steel and finally PVD or CVD thin films [8,34] were considered for increasing the wear resistance. However, the selection for wear application of commercial steels seems to be still an up-to-date and unsolved problem.…”

Enhancement of Triboactivity of Nanolamellar Graphitic-C3N4 by N-Doped ZnO Nanorods

“…Zinc oxide nanoparticles are well known for their tribological activity; doping with nitrogen has enhanced the lubrication because of the formation of defects. 38,39 The defects are known to form slip systems, which affect the electronic structure, and eventually, shear strength is lowered. 38,39 Nanoparticles may behave like ball bearings and can be easily trapped between asperities.…”

“…38,39 The defects are known to form slip systems, which affect the electronic structure, and eventually, shear strength is lowered. 38,39 Nanoparticles may behave like ball bearings and can be easily trapped between asperities. Nanorods being comparatively harder are not easily trapped.…”

“…34−39 These defects may lead to the formation of slip systems that can change the electronic structure and lower the shear strength; ultimately, tribological properties are enhanced. 38,39 The metal ions such as magnesium, copper, and aluminum are known to remarkably improve ZnO activity. 17,40−43 However, doping of ZnO by a substitute of oxygen has been seldom considered.…”

Tribological activity of ionic liquid stabilized calcium-doped ceria nanoparticles

“…2 A variety of inorganic nanoparticles of metals, metal oxides, metal sulfides, metal fluorides, and carbon-based materials have been applied to reduce friction and wear. 22 It has also been established that doping of nanoparticles with some other ion Mg, Cu, N in ZnO, [23][24][25] La, Ce in TiO 2 , 26,27 Cu, Re in MoS 2 , 28,29 Eu in CaF 2 , Mn in CuS, Ca, Al, Y in ZrO 2 30 has improved the tribological properties. Oleic acid capped lead sulfide nanoparticles have provided very high activity.…”