Structure Modulation and Self-Lubricating Properties of Porous TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> Composite Coating Under Humidity–Fluctuating Conditions

To improve the friction performance and service life of protective coatings in humidity-fluctuating environments, porous hard titanium nitride (TiN)–molybdenum disulfide (MoS<sub>2</sub>) composite coatings were prepared by using direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) with the mode o...

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Main Authors: Tiancheng Ye, Kai Le, Ganggang Wang, Zhenghao Ren, Yuzhen Liu, Liwei Zheng, Hui Tian, Shusheng Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Lubricants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4442/13/2/61
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author Tiancheng Ye
Kai Le
Ganggang Wang
Zhenghao Ren
Yuzhen Liu
Liwei Zheng
Hui Tian
Shusheng Xu
author_facet Tiancheng Ye
Kai Le
Ganggang Wang
Zhenghao Ren
Yuzhen Liu
Liwei Zheng
Hui Tian
Shusheng Xu
author_sort Tiancheng Ye
collection DOAJ
description To improve the friction performance and service life of protective coatings in humidity-fluctuating environments, porous hard titanium nitride (TiN)–molybdenum disulfide (MoS<sub>2</sub>) composite coatings were prepared by using direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) with the mode of oblique angle deposition (OAD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technologies. The structure and chemical component were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy. The tribological properties of these TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> composite coatings were investigated. The results indicate that the porous TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> composite coating exhibited outstanding friction performance and long service life under humidity-fluctuating environments. At the initial 20% relative humidity (RH) stage, the MoS<sub>2</sub> on the porous TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> composite coating surface worked as an effective lubricant; thus, the coating demonstrated excellent lubrication performance, and the friction coefficient (COF) was about 0.05. As the humidity was alternated to 70% RH, the lubrication effect diminished due to the production of molybdenum oxide (MoO<sub>3</sub>), and the COF was about 0.2, which was attributed to the degradation of MoS<sub>2</sub> on the wear track and the release of fresh MoS<sub>2</sub> from the porous TiN matrix. After the environmental conditions shifted from 70% to 20% RH, the MoO<sub>3</sub> was removed, and the lubrication effect was restored. In summary, TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> porous composite coating offers a promising approach for lubrication in humidity-fluctuating environments.
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series Lubricants
spelling doaj-art-85c7d7ae4a564eddbcf74385f4d3cd222025-08-20T02:04:06ZengMDPI AGLubricants2075-44422025-02-011326110.3390/lubricants13020061Structure Modulation and Self-Lubricating Properties of Porous TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> Composite Coating Under Humidity–Fluctuating ConditionsTiancheng Ye0Kai Le1Ganggang Wang2Zhenghao Ren3Yuzhen Liu4Liwei Zheng5Hui Tian6Shusheng Xu7College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaShandong Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Green Manufacturing at Yantai, Yantai 264000, ChinaShandong Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Green Manufacturing at Yantai, Yantai 264000, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaShandong Laboratory of Advanced Materials and Green Manufacturing at Yantai, Yantai 264000, ChinaCollege of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, ChinaTo improve the friction performance and service life of protective coatings in humidity-fluctuating environments, porous hard titanium nitride (TiN)–molybdenum disulfide (MoS<sub>2</sub>) composite coatings were prepared by using direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) with the mode of oblique angle deposition (OAD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technologies. The structure and chemical component were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy. The tribological properties of these TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> composite coatings were investigated. The results indicate that the porous TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> composite coating exhibited outstanding friction performance and long service life under humidity-fluctuating environments. At the initial 20% relative humidity (RH) stage, the MoS<sub>2</sub> on the porous TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> composite coating surface worked as an effective lubricant; thus, the coating demonstrated excellent lubrication performance, and the friction coefficient (COF) was about 0.05. As the humidity was alternated to 70% RH, the lubrication effect diminished due to the production of molybdenum oxide (MoO<sub>3</sub>), and the COF was about 0.2, which was attributed to the degradation of MoS<sub>2</sub> on the wear track and the release of fresh MoS<sub>2</sub> from the porous TiN matrix. After the environmental conditions shifted from 70% to 20% RH, the MoO<sub>3</sub> was removed, and the lubrication effect was restored. In summary, TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> porous composite coating offers a promising approach for lubrication in humidity-fluctuating environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4442/13/2/61oblique angle depositionlow surface roughnessporous structureTiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> composite coatinghumidity-fluctuating environments
spellingShingle Tiancheng Ye
Kai Le
Ganggang Wang
Zhenghao Ren
Yuzhen Liu
Liwei Zheng
Hui Tian
Shusheng Xu
Structure Modulation and Self-Lubricating Properties of Porous TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> Composite Coating Under Humidity–Fluctuating Conditions
Lubricants
oblique angle deposition
low surface roughness
porous structure
TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> composite coating
humidity-fluctuating environments
title Structure Modulation and Self-Lubricating Properties of Porous TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> Composite Coating Under Humidity–Fluctuating Conditions
title_full Structure Modulation and Self-Lubricating Properties of Porous TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> Composite Coating Under Humidity–Fluctuating Conditions
title_fullStr Structure Modulation and Self-Lubricating Properties of Porous TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> Composite Coating Under Humidity–Fluctuating Conditions
title_full_unstemmed Structure Modulation and Self-Lubricating Properties of Porous TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> Composite Coating Under Humidity–Fluctuating Conditions
title_short Structure Modulation and Self-Lubricating Properties of Porous TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> Composite Coating Under Humidity–Fluctuating Conditions
title_sort structure modulation and self lubricating properties of porous tin mos sub 2 sub composite coating under humidity fluctuating conditions
topic oblique angle deposition
low surface roughness
porous structure
TiN–MoS<sub>2</sub> composite coating
humidity-fluctuating environments
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4442/13/2/61
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