The tribological behavior of spin-assisted layer-by-layer assembled Cu nanoparticles-doped hydrophobic polyelectrolyte multilayers modified with fluoroalkylsilane

► Hydrophobic polyelectrolyte multilayers doped with Cu nanoparticles were prepared. ► Micro-friction and macro-tribological behavior of the multilayers were investigated. ► The more hydrophobic the surfaces are, the longer the antiwear life is. ► The hydrophobic surfaces have lower friction coefficient under water lubrication than under dry-sliding.