Influence of molecular structure on lubrication of aqueous triblock copolymer lubricants between rutile surfaces: An MD approach

Authors

Thi D. Ta, University of WollongongFollow
Anh Kiet Tieu, University of WollongongFollow
Hongtao Zhu, University of WollongongFollow
Shanhong Wan, University of WollongongFollow
Hoang The Phan, University of WollongongFollow
Jingcheng Hao, Shandong UniversityFollow

RIS ID

130698

Publication Details

Ta, T. D., Tieu, A. K., Zhu, H., Wan, S., Phan, H. T. & Hao, J. (2019). Influence of molecular structure on lubrication of aqueous triblock copolymer lubricants between rutile surfaces: An MD approach. Tribology International, 130 170-183.

Abstract

The influence of molecular structure on adsorption and lubrication of aqueous triblock copolymer on TiO2surfaces has been investigated using a realistic MD model. Reference data obtained from DFT calculations have been employed to develop an interaction potential between the copolymer and TiO2surface. The results show that R Pluronics form an anchor-buoy-anchor structure absorbed on TiO2surface and L Pluronic for buoy-anchor-buoy structure. The shear of tribo-system influences slightly on the orientation of copolymers and non-slip behavior has been observed at solid-fluid interfaces due to the strong adhesion strength of copolymer on rutile surface. The shear viscosity increases with copolymer concentration and molecular chain length. L Pluronic has a lower shear stress than the R ones.

Grant Number

ARC/DP130103973, ARC/DP150103718