Investigation of the structure and tribological characteristics of monolayers deposited by the Langmuir–Blodgett technique

A series of partially fluorinated ethyl esters with the same hydrophobic group length were deposited by the Langmuir– Blodgett LB. technique on an Al plate coated with a NiP film. Film structures were inferred through surface pressure– molecular area isotherms p–A isotherms.. The results indicate that the film structures are determined by van der Waals forces between hydrophobic chains. Stronger mutual forces lead to stable solid films. Frictional properties and load-carrying capacities of the monolayers were evaluated using a ball-on-plate-type sliding apparatus. The friction coefficient and load-carrying capacity are dependent on the monolayer film structures. The solid film shows a lower friction coefficient and a higher load-carrying capacity. Friction tracks of the monolayers were examined by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy TOF-SIMS.. We found that the liquid film may be a fluid monolayer, and that the structure of the solid film changes under frictional force. q2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.