Surface micro-texturing design for improving tribological behaviour of graphene oxide thin films

Abstract

Effect of micro-scale surface texture with different densities on wear resistance of graphene oxide (GO) films was studied using a revolving ball-on-flat tribometer in humid environments. The micro-scale surface texture was produced by depositing about 363 nm thick GO films onto silicon substrates pre-textured with the patterns of dimples. The goal of the surface patterning was to improve the wear resistance of the GO films so that to extend lubricating life. The experimental results demonstrated excellent ability of the textured films to improve wear resistance of the silicon substrate. Furthermore, the GO films with an appropriate dimple area density (4%) were effective in reducing the friction coefficient (0.024) and exhibiting outstanding wear resistance owing to the entrapment of wear particles in the dimples. Finally, a simple friction mechanism model was drawn to explain the frictional properties of the different textured area density GO films.