Carbon coating with combined super-hydrophobic and self-lubricating properties on titanium silicon carbide

Carbon coating on Ti3SiC2 with combined super-hydrophobic and self-lubricating properties was synthesized by chlorination at 1000 °C followed by modification of the CF3(CF2)5CH2CH2SiCl3 film. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the conversion from Ti3SiC2 to highly graphitized carbon coating. Scanning electron microscopy observation showed a highly porous microstructure of graphite flakes on the coating surface. The porous structure as well as organic film on carbon coating endowed the surface with super-hydrophobic property. Because of chemical inertia of the carbon coating and the modifier, the super-hydrophobic surface was very stable under various environments. Carbon coating was a good solid lubricant and greatly reduced friction coefficient of Ti3SiC2 sliding against Si3N4, which was important for Ti3SiC2 used as engineering material.