Controllable superlubricity achieved with mixtures of green ionic liquid and glycerol aqueous solution via humidity

Abstract In this work, superlubricity between steel surfaces lubricated by mixtures of [Choline][Proline] ([Cho][Pro]) ionic liquid and glycerol aqueous solution has been reached by using a rotating tribometer. Stable superlubricity could be obtained even under the humidity between 7 to 9% RH. The lowest friction is observed when the lubricant contains 3 wt.% ionic liquid. It is found that adding 3 wt.% [Cho][Pro] is helpful to maintain enough water in the steady period to retain a low viscosity. According to the calculation, the superlubricity achieved in thin film lubrication region, which is attributed to the stern layer formed by [Cho][Pro] and hydrogen-bond network that enabled a thin water layer at the interface. Interestingly, it is observed that humidity can be used to control lubrication state between superlubricity and non-superlubricity. This study provides a new method to accomplish switchable superlubricity under low humidity.