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Effects of UV irradiation on tribological properties of nano‐TiO 2 thin films
Author(s) -
Wang Yunxia,
Wang Hongling,
Yan Fengyuan
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
surface and interface analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.52
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1096-9918
pISSN - 0142-2421
DOI - 10.1002/sia.3039
Subject(s) - materials science , tribology , abrasive , irradiation , brittleness , composite material , contact angle , thin film , nano , layer (electronics) , drop (telecommunication) , ultraviolet , nanotechnology , telecommunications , physics , optoelectronics , computer science , nuclear physics
One‐layer and two‐layer nano‐TiO 2 thin films were prepared on the surface of common glass by sol–gel processing. Water contact angle, surface morphology, tribological properties of the films before and after ultraviolet (UV) irradiation were investigated using DSA100 drop shape analyzer, scanning probe microscopy (SPM), SEM and universal micro‐materials tester (second generation) (UMT‐2MT) friction and wear tester, respectively. The stored films markedly resumed their hydrophilicity after UV irradiation. But UV irradiation worsened tribological properties of the films. After the film was irradiated by UV, the friction coefficient between the film and GCr15 steel ball increased about 10–50% and its wear life shortened about 20–90%. Abrasive wear, brittle break and adherence wear are the failure mechanisms of nano‐TiO 2 thin films. It was believed that UV irradiation increased surface energy of the film and then aggravated adherence wear of the film at initial stage of friction process leading to severe brittle fracture and abrasive wear. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.