US EPA

3860596 

Journal Article 

Molecularly thin fluoro-polymeric nanolubricant films: tribology, rheology, morphology, and applications 

Chung, PS; Jhon, MS; Choi, HJ 

2016 

1 

Soft Matter
ISSN: 1744-683X 

ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY 

CAMBRIDGE 

12 

11 

2816-2825 

English 

26907953 

10.1039/c5sm02434j 

WOS:000372223100001 

Molecularly thin perfluoropolyether (PFPE) has been used extensively as a high-performance lubricant in various applications and, more importantly, on carbon overcoats to enhance the reliability and lubrication of micro-/nanoelectro-mechanical systems, where the tribological performance caused by its molecular architecture is a critical issue, as are its physical properties and rheological characteristics. This Highlight addresses recent trends in the development of fluoro-polymeric lubricant films with regard to their tribology, rheology, and physio-chemical properties as they relate to heat-assisted magnetic recording. Nanorheology has been employed to examine the dynamic response of nonfunctional and functional PFPEs, while the viscoelastic properties of nanoscale PFPE films and the relaxation processes as a function of molecular structure and end-group functionality were analyzed experimentally; furthermore, the characteristics of binary blends were reported.