Macroscale Superlubricity of Steel by Polymer-Based Ionic Liquids Without a Running-in Period

A series of polymer-based ionic liquids (PILs) with a flexible and electron-rich polymeric chain attached to the cation have been designed as lubricants for steel-steel systems. Compared to widely used poly-alpha olefin (PAO) and commercial lubricants, the PIL lubricants show noticeably lower friction and better surface protection. Notably, for the PIL, ionic liquids based on 2, 5-furandicarboxylic acid (FA-IL), macroscale superlubricity is achieved immediately (without a running-in period) when the temperature is 75 degrees C and higher. Surface char-acterizations and molecular dynamics simulations show superlubricity results from the robust lubricating film immediately formed at the steel surface due to the rapid adsorption of FA-IL ions via multiple sites. This work provides new insights into the design of macroscale superlubricity systems.