January 09, 2024
Research reveals the competitive reaction mechanism of in-situ adaptive growth of graphene coating on the surface of hard alloy substrates
Research reveals the competitive reaction mechanism of in-situ adaptive growth of graphene coating on the surface of hard alloy substrates. Date: 9th January 2024. Source: Institute of New Materials, Guangdong Academy of Sciences. Friction and wear are key factors causing energy loss and failure of critical moving parts in engineering equipment. Novel solid lubrication coatings and deposition techniques provide effective ways to improve the quality and lifespan of engineering equipment. Graphene's excellent mechanical properties make it a promising candidate for reducing wear in the field of solid lubrication. However, achieving continuous in-situ growth of graphene in industrial applications still presents challenges.
Recently, a research team composed of South China University of Technology, Institute of New Materials, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, and City University of Hong Kong, used high-temperature solid solution and competitive catalytic reaction regulation strategies to achieve in-situ adaptive growth of high-quality graphene coatings on hard alloy (WC-Co) substrates, greatly improving the lubrication performance of hard alloys. Furthermore, the research team revealed through ab initio simulation the competitive inhibition effect of Co atoms, which compete with Ni atoms in a non-bonding form and obtain electrons from C, weakening the Ni-C bond and reducing energy loss, thereby promoting the adaptive growth of graphene. This weak bonding effect caused by the competitive reaction reduces the sliding energy barrier and interfacial separation work on the surface of the graphene coating, thereby reducing surface friction.
By adopting this competitive reaction strategy, it is expected to extend the application of hard alloy substrates to various industrial materials composed of metals with competitive catalytic reaction characteristics, in order to achieve engineering applications of graphene coatings for reducing friction. This research achievement was published in the international carbon materials journal Carbon (Q1, TOP journal, IF=10.9). The Institute of New Materials, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, is the second affiliation, and Professor Lin Songsheng is a co-corresponding author. This research work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation and the Development Special Fund of Guangdong Academy of Sciences.
Original article link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2023.118561
