Ag nanoparticle-multiply alkylated cyclopentane composite ultrathin films fabricated by one step dip coating process and its tribological performances

Herein, Ag nanoparticle-multialkylated cyclopentane (MAC) composite ultrathin films (abridged as Ag-MAC) were fabricated by dip-coating method. X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and atomic force microscopy were used to characterize the so-obtained Ag nanoparticles and Ag-MAC films. Their tribological behaviors were investigated by comparing with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane self-assembled monolayers (abridged as APS SAMs) and APS-MAC dual-layer film and results showed that Ag-MAC films possessed much better load-bearing capacity and anti-wear ability, which could be due to the combined effects of the high bearing capacity and antiwear ability of Ag nanoparticles and excellent lubricating properties of MACs.