Tribological and stability investigations of alkylphosphonic acids on alumina surface

► Alumina surface modification by alkylphosphonic acids was investigated. ► The effectiveness of modification was monitored by the contact angle measurements. ► The modification procedure correctness was characterized by XPS, ToF-SIMS, FT-IR measurements. ► The tribological performance of modified alumina in mili Newton load range was studied. ► The stability of alkylphosphonic acids on alumina surface were monitored.