Abstract

Achieving durable macroscale superlubricity remains a very arduous task to be overcome for typical transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) films for space application. Herein, an optimized nanocomposite-multilayered WS2-Au/Ti film with integrated interface was successfully prepared by magnetron sputtering. The components, microstructure, mechanical properties and vacuum tribological properties of the film were systematically studied. The film shows excellent mechanical properties with the high nanohardness of 6.6 GPa and elastic modulus of 124.6 GPa. Meanwhile, the film exhibits the ultralow mean steady-state friction coefficient of 0.006, low wear rate of (3.83 +/- 0.05) & times; 10(-8)mm(3)& centerdot;N-1 & centerdot;m(-1), and maintains the status up to 240,000 cycles. It achieves the macroscale superlubricity and excellent wear resistance in moderate vacuum similar to 3 & times; 10(-3)Pa at room temperature for the film with thickness of about 0.7 & micro;m. Through experimental analysis and theoretical calculations, the very easy-shear incommensurate interfacial structure is verified to be in situ constructed on friction contact area to realize superlubricity. This study provides a design idea and approach for developing durable superlubric TMDs films for future space components.

Keywords Plus：TRIBOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE，COATING CHARACTERISTICS，MOS2，FRICTION

Published in APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE，Volume752；10.1016/j.apsusc.2026.168275，JAN 15 2027