Tribological properties of fluorinated nanocarbons with different shape factors

Abstract : The structural parameters of fluorinated nanocarbons presenting different shapes, i.e. spherical, tubular and discotic are investigated and correlated to their tribological properties. Different fluorination rates of graphitized carbon blacks (0D), carbon nanofibres (1D) and a mixture of carbon nanodiscs and nanocones (2D) were achieved under pure molecular fluorine gas flow (direct fluorination). Raman spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and 19F solid state nuclear magnetic resonance underline similar structure and nature of the C-F bonds (covalent) for equivalent fluorine contents. In spite of the similarities of physical-chemical properties at equivalent fluorine contents, the tribological properties of the fluorinated nanocarbons differ. Those properties are discussed taking into account the role of the fluorine content and location of the fluorine atoms in the decrease of the interparticle interactions and in the cleavage of the external fluorocarbon layers to form the tribofilm. Finally, the effect of the shape is discussed.