Lubricating mechanism of cyano-based ionic liquids on nascent steel surface

[EMIM][TCB] exhibited the highest friction coefficient. The others exhibited very low friction coefficients of less than 0.08. Q-MS analysis indicated that the cation components were detected in outgassing during sliding tests. However, anion components were not detected. ToF-SIMS results showed that the anions remained on the worn surfaces which would lead low friction coefficients. To achieve low friction coefficient, the tribo-decomposition of the ionic liquids and adsorption of anion were required. TGA indicated thermal stability was an index for tribo-decomposition on the nascent steel surface.