A comparative study on the functionality of S- and P-based lubricant additives by combined first principles and experimental analysis

Sulfur and phosphorus are key elements for the functionality of lubricant additives used in extreme pressure applications, such as synchronizer systems in cars. To understand their mechanism of action we combine first principles calculations and gas phase lubrication experiments. The surface spectroscopy analysis performed in situ after the tribological test indicates that iron sulfide (phosphide) is formed by rubbing steel-on-steel in the presence of organo-sulfur (-phosphorus) molecules. We, thus, study the effects of elemental sulfur and phosphorus on the interfacial properties of iron by spin-polarized density functional theory calculations. The results show that both the elements are very effective in reducing the adhesion and shear strength of iron. Sulfur is predicted to be more effective than phosphorus, especially at high pressure. Gas phase lubrication experiments confirm these results, indicating that the friction coefficient of iron-sulphide is lower than that of iron-phosphide and both S and P dramatically reduce the friction of steel-on-steel. These results indicate that the release of elemental sulfur and phosphorus may be the key mechanism to controlling the tribological properties of the metal interface and elucidate that the underling microscopic phenomenon is metal passivation. © 2016 The Royal Society of Chemistry.Sulfur and phosphorus are key elements for the functionality of lubricant additives used in extreme pressure applications, such as synchronizer systems in cars. To understand their mechanism of action we combine first principles calculations and gas phase lubrication experiments. The surface spectroscopy analysis performed in situ after the tribological test indicates that iron sulfide (phosphide) is formed by rubbing steel-on-steel in the presence of organo-sulfur (-phosphorus) molecules. We, thus, study the effects of elemental sulfur and phosphorus on the interfacial properties of iron by spin-polarized density functional theory calculations. The results show that both the elements are very effective in reducing the adhesion and shear strength of iron. Sulfur is predicted to be more effective than phosphorus, especially at high pressure. Gas phase lubrication experiments confirm these results, indicating that the friction coefficient of iron-sulphide is lower than that of iron-phosphide and both S and P dramatically reduce the friction of steel-on-steel. These results indicate that the release of elemental sulfur and phosphorus may be the key mechanism to controlling the tribological properties of the metal interface and elucidate that the underling microscopic phenomenon is metal passivation

Trimethyl-phosphite dissociative adsorption on iron by combined first-principle calculations and XPS experiments

The reaction of trimethyl-phosphite, TMPi, with a clean Fe(110) surface has been investigated by ab initio calculations. The most stable configurations and energies are identified for both molecular and dissociative adsorption. The calculated reaction energies indicate that dissociation is energetically more favorable than molecular adsorption and we provide a description of the dissociation path and the associated energy barrier. In situ XPS analysis of adsorbed TMPi on metallic iron confirmed molecular chemisorption and dissociation at high temperature. These results shed light on the mechanism of phosphorus release from organophosphites at the iron surface, which is important for the functionality of these phosphorus-based additives, included in lubricants for automotive applications

Mixed lubrication of steel by C18 fatty acids revisited. Part I: Toward the formation of carboxylate

International audienc

Mixed lubrication of steel by C18 fatty acids revisited. Part II: Influence of some key parameters

International audienc