Search Results (19)

Chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) of metal components is an essential step in the fabrication of integrated circuits. Metal CMP is a complex process where strategically activated (electro)chemical reactions serve to structurally weaken the surface layers of the material being processed, and the resulting overburdens are removed under low-force abrasion. Understanding the tribo-electrochemical mechanisms of this process is crucial to successfully designing the consumable materials for advanced CMP slurries that are needed for the new technology nodes. Using a model CMP system involving copper (wiring material in interconnect structures) and molybdenum (a new diffusion barrier material for copper), the present work illustrates a tribo-electroanalytical scheme for studying various mechanistic details of metal CMP. Electroanalytical probes are employed both in the absence and in the presence of surface polishing to quantify the interplay between mechanical abrasion and chemical surface modification. Weakly alkaline slurry formulations are tested with variable concentrations of silica abrasives and a complexing agent, citric acid. The results serve to examine the link between material removal and tribo-corrosion and to identify the functions of the active slurry additives in governing the rates and selectivity of material removal for CMP. Full article

Chemical–mechanical planarization (CMP) is used to smoothen the topographies of a rough surface by combining several functions of tribology (friction, lubrication), chemistry, and electrochemistry (corrosion, wear, tribo-corrosion). The surface layer of interest is structurally weakened by the chemical and/or electrochemical reactions of selected additives in a polishing slurry, and the modified surface is flattened by the abrasion of a polishing pad with or without abrasive particles. The chemically active CMP slurry also serves as a lubricant for polishing and enables planarization at a microscopic level while avoiding the formation of defects at the processed surface. Applications of CMP are wide-ranging in various material-processing technologies and, specifically, it is a critical manufacturing step of integrated circuits. The CMP of metals is a significant part of this processing scheme and is associated with highly complex tribo-electrochemical mechanisms that are now additionally challenging due to various new requirements of the advanced technology nodes. The present review examines the current statuses of experimental strategies for collecting important mechanistic details of metal CMP that are necessary to design and assess CMP consumables. Both traditional and underexplored experimental techniques are discussed with illustrative results, including many previously unpublished findings for certain CMP systems of current interest. Full article

Lubricant additive plays an important role in reducing the friction and wear for base oil. MAX phase ceramics may have superior advantages for additive application due to their unique nanolayered structure. In this paper, Ti₂SnC ceramic is prepared by sintering the elemental mixtures at 1250 °C. In addition, Cu-coated Ti₂SnC ceramic is successfully prepared using a chemical plating method for the first time. It is confirmed that the Ti₂SnC ceramic has good self-catalytic activity, and a layer of stacking Cu nano-particles can be deposited on the Ti₂SnC surface without pretreatment. When the Cu-coated Ti₂SnC ceramic powder is doped into PAO10 base oil, the oil can exhibit excellent lubrication properties, where the friction coefficient is as low as 0.095. A layer of tribo-film can be formed during the sliding process when the Cu-coated Ti₂SnC ceramic is incorporated into PAO10 base oil, which can reduce the friction coefficient. The superior lubrication properties can be attributed to the synergistic lubrication effect of Ti₂SnC ceramic and Cu nano-particles. Full article

This Research aimed to improve the tribological properties of commercially available lubricating oil (5W-40) by incorporating CuO nanoplatelets (NPs) synthesized using a simple and cost-effective sonochemical method. To evaluate the performance of the nanolubricant, a reciprocating tribometer was indigenously designed and developed to measure the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear tracks between two AISI 1045 steel surfaces. The CuO NPs were characterized using XRD to confirm their purity and phase, while SEM and FE-TEM were utilized to study their morphology and composition. Raman spectroscopy was used to reveal three distinct Raman active peaks of CuO at 283, 330, and 616 cm⁻¹. Zeta potential measurements demonstrated good dispersion quality, with a value of 92.0 mV for 0.1% concentration. SEM and FE-TEM analysis of the nanolubricant showed the formation of a tribo-film over the CuO NPs and adding 0.1% CuO NPs reduced COF by 32%. These findings suggest that incorporating synthesized CuO NPs in commercially available lubricating oil can enhance its tribological properties, leading to improved machine efficiency and lifespan, as well as reduced energy demand. Overall, the study demonstrates the potential benefits of using CuO nanoplatelets as an additive in lubricating oil, which could have significant implications for the development of more efficient nanolubricants. Full article

Here, we introduce a 2D metal-organic framework (MOF) into the poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix, which has been comparatively less explored in this field. Highly 2D Ni-MOF has been synthesized in this regard via hydrothermal route and has been incorporated into PVDF matrix via solvent casting technique with ultralow filler (0.5 wt%) loading. The polar phase percentage of 0.5 wt% Ni-MOF loaded PVDF film (NPVDF) has been found to be increased to ~85% from a value of ~55% for neat PVDF. The ultralow filler loading has inhibited the easy breakdown path along with increased dielectric permittivity and hence has enhanced the energy storage performance. On the other hand, significantly enriched polarity and Young’s Modulus has helped in improving its mechanical energy harvesting performance, thereby enhancing the human motion interactive sensing activities. The piezoelectric and piezo-tribo hybrid devices made up of NPVDF film have shown improved output power density of ~3.26 and 31 μW/cm² compared to those of the piezoelectric and piezo-tribo hybrid devices comprising of neat PVDF (output power density ~0.6 and 17 μW/cm², respectively). The developed composite can thus be considered an excellent candidate for multifunctional applications. Full article

Synovial joints are unique biological tribo-systems that allow for efficient mobility. Most of the synovial joint activities in the human body are accomplished due to the presence of synovial fluid. As a biological lubricant, synovial fluid lubricates the articular cartilage to minimize wear and friction. The key components of synovial fluid that give it its lubricating ability are lubricin, hyaluronic acid (HA), and surface-active phospholipids. Due to age and activities, synovial fluid and articular cartilages lose their properties, restricting synovial joint mobility and resulting in articular cartilage degradation, leading to the pathological synovial joint, which is a major cause of disability. In this context, synovial joint research remains significant. Even though synovial joint lubrication has been investigated, several problems linked to squeeze film lubrication need greater attention. The Newtonian model of squeeze film lubrication in synovial joints must be studied more extensively. This work aims to investigate squeeze film lubrication in diseased synovial joints. The lubrication and other properties of synovial fluid and the flow of synovial fluid in a diseased human knee joint are investigated theoretically in this work. We have investigated the effect of the synovial fluid viscosity and the effects of permeability and thickness of articular cartilage on squeeze film properties. Moreover, we have also investigated the effect of squeeze velocity and film thickness on the characteristics of the squeeze film formed between the articular cartilages of a diseased human knee joint. In this work, the articular cartilages were treated as a rough, porous material, and the geometry was approximated as parallel rectangular plates, while the synovial fluid flow is modeled as a viscous, incompressible, and Newtonian fluid. The modified Reynolds equation is obtained using the principles of hydrodynamic lubrication and continuum mechanics, and it is solved using the appropriate boundary conditions. The expressions for pressure distribution, load-bearing capacity, and squeezing time are then determined, and theoretical analysis for various parameters is conducted. Pressure is increased by squeeze velocity and viscosity, while it is decreased by permeability and film thickness, leading to an unhealthy knee joint and a reduction in knee joint mobility. The load capacity of the knee joint decreases with permeability and increases with viscosity and squeezing velocity, resulting in a reduction in the load-carrying capacity of the knee joint in diseased conditions. Synovial knee joint illness is indicated by increased pressure and squeeze time. The squeeze film properties of synovial joints are important for maintaining joint health and function. Joint diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout can affect the composition and production of synovial fluid, leading to changes in squeeze film properties and potentially causing joint damage and pain. Understanding these relationships can help in the development of effective treatments for joint diseases. Full article

The rapid development of portable and wearable electronic devices has led researchers to actively study triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) that can provide self-powering capabilities. In this study, we propose a highly flexible and stretchable sponge-type TENG, named flexible conductive sponge triboelectric nanogenerator (FCS-TENG), which consists of a porous structure manufactured by inserting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into silicon rubber using sugar particles. Nanocomposite fabrication processes, such as template-directed CVD and ice freeze casting methods for fabricating porous structures, are very complex and costly. However, the nanocomposite manufacturing process of flexible conductive sponge triboelectric nanogenerators is simple and inexpensive. In the tribo-negative CNT/silicone rubber nanocomposite, the CNTs act as electrodes, increasing the contact area between the two triboelectric materials, increasing the charge density, and improving charge transfer between the two phases. Measurements of the performance of flexible conductive sponge triboelectric nanogenerators using an oscilloscope and a linear motor, under a driving force of 2–7 N, show that it generates an output voltage of up to 1120 V and a current of 25.6 µA. In addition, by using different weight percentages of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), it is shown that the output power increases with the weight percentage of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The flexible conductive sponge triboelectric nanogenerator not only exhibits good performance and mechanical robustness but can also be directly used in light-emitting diodes connected in series. Furthermore, its output remains extremely stable even after 1000 bending cycles in an ambient environment. In sum, the results demonstrate that flexible conductive sponge triboelectric nanogenerators can effectively power small electronics and contribute to large-scale energy harvesting. Full article

In recent years, lubricant research has developed from empirical to theoretical, from descriptive to rational, from qualitative to quantitative, and from macroscopic to microscopic studies. This review presents the new concept of the quantitative structure tribo-ability relationship (QSTR) derived from the basic principles of quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) theory and reviews the latest advances in research on basic problems of the QSTR of lubricants. Specifically, it highlights a series of recent studies conducted by Chinese scholars and future prospects related to these works. It is noted that the study of lubricants involves many related issues, such that there may be omissions in this review. Additionally, the research topics of the quantitative tribo-ability relationship of lubricants covered in this review are mainly mentioned to introduce various modeling methods, and there may be many similar works that are not covered in this review. Despite these limitations, it is hoped that the described QSTR method will become a useful tool and serve as a reference for tribology research groups in the future. Full article

Tetraethyl-orthosilicate (TEOS)-based nanoparticles are most extensively used as a silica-based hemoglobin carrier system. However, TEOS-based nanoparticles induce adverse effects on the hemoglobin structure. Therefore, a heulandite-calcium-based carrier was investigated as a novel silica-based hemoglobin carrier system. The heulandite-calcium mesoporous aluminosilicate particles (MSPs) were fabricated by a patented tribo-mechanical activation process, according to the manufacturer, and its structure was assessed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Upon hemoglobin encapsulation, alternation in the secondary and tertiary structure was observed. The hemoglobin-particle interactions do not cause heme degradation or decreased activity. Once encapsulated inside the particle pores, the hemoglobin shows increased thermal stability, and higher loading capacity per gram of particles (by a factor of >1.4) when compared to TEOS-based nanoparticles. Futhermore, we introduced a PEGlyted lipid bilayer which significantly decreases the premature hemoglobin release and increases the colloidal stability. The newly developed hemoglobin carrier shows no cytotoxicity to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Full article

Research in the field of tribo-mechatronics has been gaining popularity in recent decades. The objective of the current research is to improve static/dynamics characteristics of hydrostatic bearings. Hydrostatic bearings always work in harsh environmental conditions that effect their performance, and which may even result in their failure. The current research proposes a mathematical model-based system for hydrostatic bearings that helps to improve its static/dynamic characteristics under varying conditions of performance-influencing variables such as temperature, spindle speed, external load, and clearance gap. To achieve these objectives, the capillary restrictors are replaced with servo valves, and a mathematical model is developed along with robust control design systems. The control system consists of feedforward and feedback control techniques that have not been applied before for hydrostatic bearings in the published literature. The feedforward control tries to remove a disturbance before it enters the system while feedback control achieves the objective of disturbance rejection and improves steady-state characteristics. The feedforward control is a trajectory-based controller and the feedback controller is a sliding mode controller with a PID sliding surface. The particle swarm optimization algorithm is used to tune the 6-dimensional vector of the tuning parameters with multi-objective performance criteria. Numerical investigations have been carried out to check the performance of the proposed system under varying conditions of viscosity, clearance gap, external load and the spindle speed. The comparison of our results with the published literature shows the effectiveness of the proposed system. Full article

Materials made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in the form of packages or catheters are currently commonly applied medical devices. Antimicrobial LDPE nanocomposite materials with two types of nanofillers, zinc oxide/vermiculite (ZnO/V) and zinc oxide/vermiculite_chlorhexidine (ZnO/V_CH), were prepared by a melt-compounded procedure to enrich their controllable antimicrobial, microstructural, topographical and tribo-mechanical properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that the ZnO/V and ZnO/V_CH nanofillers and LDPE interacted well with each other. The influence of the nanofiller concentrations on the LDPE nanocomposite surface changes was studied through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the surface topology and roughness were studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The effect of the ZnO/V nanofiller on the increase in indentation hardness (HIT) was evaluated by AFM measurements and the Vickers microhardness (HV), which showed that as the concentration of the ZnO/V nanofiller increased, these values decreased. The ZnO/V and ZnO/V_CH nanofillers, regardless of the concentration in the LDPE matrix, slightly increased the average values of the friction coefficient (COF). The abrasion depths of the wear indicated that the LDPE_ZnO/V nanocomposite plates exhibited better wear resistance than LDPE_ZnO/V_CH. Higher HV and HIT microhardness values were measured for both nanofillers than the natural LDPE nanocomposite plate. Very positive antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa after 72 h was found for both nanofiller types. Full article

Nowadays hip arthroplasty is recognized as one of the most successful orthopedic surgical procedures, even if it involves challenges to overcome, such that lately, younger and more active patients are in need of total arthroplasty. Wear is still one of the main issues affecting joint prostheses endurance, and often causes loosening accompanied by implant failures. Actual in vitro wear tests executed by mechanical simulators have a long duration, are very expensive, and do not take into account all the possible daily activities of the patients; thus, the challenge to obtain a complete in silico tribological and dynamical model of (bio) tribo-systems could give the possibility to overcome the actual testing procedures and could contribute as a tool for a more accurate tribological design of human prostheses. This prospective paper is intended to underline actual research trends toward the challenge of having accurate numerical algorithms to be used both in preclinical testing and in the optimizations of the prostheses design. With this aim we depicted the possible in silico approach in artificial joints’ wear assessment over time, accounting for contact mechanics, numerical stress–strain analysis, musculoskeletal multibody, and synovial lubrication modelling (boundary/mixed, hydrodynamic, and elastohydrodynamic). Full article

Zirconia and 10%, 20%, and 30% cerium-doped zirconia nanoparticles (ZCO), ZCO-1, ZCO-2, and ZCO-3, respectively, were prepared using auto-combustion method. Binary nanohybrids, ZrO₂@rGO and ZCO-2@rGO (rGO = reduced graphene oxide), and ternary nanohybrids, ZrO₂@rGO@MoS₂ and ZCO-2@rGO@MoS_2, have been prepared with an anticipation of a fruitful synergic effect of rGO, MoS₂, and cerium-doped zirconia on the tribo-activity. Tribo-activity of these additives in paraffin oil (PO) has been assessed by a four-ball lubricant tester at the optimized concentration, 0.125% w/v. The tribo-performance follows the order: ZCO-2@rGO@MoS₂ > ZrO₂@rGO@MoS₂ > ZCO-2@rGO > ZrO₂@rGO > MoS₂ > ZrO₂ > rGO > PO. The nanoparticles acting as spacers control restacking of the nanosheets provided structural augmentation while nanosheets, in turn, prevent agglomeration of the nanoparticles. Doped nanoparticles upgraded the activity by forming defects. Thus, the results acknowledge the synergic effect of cerium-doped zirconia and lamellar nanosheets of rGO and MoS₂. There is noncovalent interaction among all the individuals. Analysis of the morphological features of wear-track carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) in PO and its formulations with various additives is consistent with the above sequence. The energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrum of ZCO-2@rGO@MoS₂ indicates the existence of zirconium, cerium, molybdenum, and sulfur on the wear-track, confirming, thereby, the active role played by these elements during tribofilm formation. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies of worn surface reveal that the tribofilm is made up of rGO, zirconia, ceria, and MoS₂ along with Fe₂O₃, MoO₃, and SO₄²⁻ as the outcome of the tribo-chemical reaction. Full article

We report the synthesis and characterization of two different types of Ni-based laminated composites (Types I and II). In Type-I composites, layers of Ni and Ti₃SiC₂ (Ni–Ti₃SiC₂) were interleaved with Ni, whereas in Type-II composites, Ni–Ti₃SiC₂ layers were interleaved with Al and Ni. The laminate thickness and Ti₃SiC₂ content in the individual Ni–Ti₃SiC₂ layers were systematically varied in both the composites. Detailed SEM studies showed that Ti₃SiC₂ particulates are well distributed in the Ni-matrix with little or no interfacial reactions with interparticle porosity. However, there were interfacial reactions between Ni and Al in Type II composites. In general, Type I multilayered composites had higher ultimate compressive strength (UCS) in parallel orientation as compared to perpendicular orientation (layers are aligned parallel or perpendicular to the wear surface then it will be referred to as parallel or perpendicular orientation). Comparatively, in Type II composites, the UCS was greater in perpendicular orientation as compared to parallel due to the presence of Al layers as bonding layers. Both the composite designs showed triboactive behavior against alumina disks and sensitivity to laminate thickness and orientation. In Type-I composites, the decrease in µ and wear rate (WR) with laminate thickness was more pronounced in the perpendicular orientation as compared to the parallel orientation. Comparatively, Ni–Ti₃SiC₂/Al/Ni composites showed that the parallel orientation was more effective in enhancing the triboactive performance. SEM analysis of tribosurfaces showed signs of triboxidation and abrasion, which led to the formation of O-rich tribofilms. Full article

Nickel (Ni) and carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced Ni-matrix composites were manufactured by solid state processing and severely deformed by high-pressure torsion (HPT). Micro-tribological testing was performed by reciprocating sliding and the frictional behavior was investigated. Tribo-chemical and microstructural changes were investigated using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and focused ion beam (FIB). The CNT lubricity was hindered due to the continuous formation of a stable oxide layer promoted by a large grain boundary area and by irreversible damage introduced to the reinforcement during HPT, which controlled the frictional behavior of the studied samples. The presence of CNT reduced, to some extent, the tribo-oxidation activity on the contact zone and reduced the wear by significant hardening and stabilization of the microstructure. Full article