Intercalation of 3-phenyl-1-proponal into OTS SAMs on silica nanoasperities to create self-repairing interfaces for MEMS lubrication.
Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have been widely studied as potential lubricants for microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices. However, these single-layer films have nominally been found to be insufficient for mitigating wear in sliding contacts because of their rapid breakdown under the high pressures found within the nanoasperity junctions at such interfaces. As such, there is a critical need to explore approaches beyond simple, single-component SAMs toward films that introduce additional lubricant molecules into the system. Because alcohol vapors have previously been shown to reduce wear in MEMS devices, here we have investigated a mixed monolayer consisting of an octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) SAM infused with 3-phenyl-1-propanol (3P1P), assembled on silica nanoparticle films. A combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), and FTIR spectroscopy was employed to investigate the structural and frictional properties of the mixed monolayers and to evaluate surface wear as a function of time. The nanoparticle film/AFM tip junction provides a ready mimic for the asperity-asperity contacts found in MEMS devices. Here it was found that for a mixed monolayer of OTS with ca. 15% 3P1P, the surfaces showed dramatically reduced friction and no wear under the same load conditions as surfaces with an OTS SAM alone. Moreover, the multicomponent film also displayed no increase in friction and exhibited no wear even after 14 h of shearing contact in an AFM at loads that would break down the OTS layer. The ability of the OTS SAM to trap short-chain alcohols, such as 3P1P, and to release them under load suggests a simple MEMS lubrication scheme that could be readily integrated into MEMS device architectures.