Ag nanoparticle–multiply alkylated cyclopentane composite ultrathin films fabricated by one step dip coating process and its tribological performances

Herein, Ag nanoparticle–multialkylated cyclopentane (MAC) composite ultrathin films (abridged as Ag–MAC) were fabricated by dip-coating method. X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the so-obtained Ag nanoparticles and Ag–MAC films. Their tribological behaviors were investigated by comparing with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane self-assembled monolayers (abridged as APS SAMs) and APS–MAC dual-layer film and results showed that Ag–MAC films possessed much better load-bearing capacity and anti-wear ability, which could be due to the combined effects of the high bearing capacity and antiwear ability of Ag nanoparticles and excellent lubricating properties of MACs.