Tribological Behavior of Doped DLC Coatings in the Presence of Ionic Liquid Additive under Different Lubrication Regimes

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings are widely used in industries that require high durability and wear resistance, low friction. The unique characteristics of DLC allow for the possibility creating adsorption sites lubricant additives through doping process. In this study, combined use europium-doped diamond-like (Eu-DLC), gadolinium-doped (Gd-DLC), pure an ionic liquid (IL) additive, namely, trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis (2-ethylhexyl) phosphate [P66614] [DEHP], with a 1 wt.% concentration polyalphaolefin (PAO) 8 as base was investigated. Higher hardness, higher thin-film adhesion, ratio hardness to elastic modulus, plastic deformation resistance factor were achieved Gd-DLC coating. CoF coating paired IL superior compared other pairs all lubrication regimes, had better performance than Eu-DLC could not be quantified due on surface coatings. friction reduction demonstrates tribological systems combining thin films can potential candidate future research development efforts reduce increase efficiency moving parts internal combustion engines, instance.