Characterization of annealed pulsed laser deposited (PLD) thin films of cesium oxythiomolybdate (Cs 2MoOS 3)

• Published in: Thin solid films 2002-03, Vol.406 (1), p.164-173
• Main Authors: Strong, Karla L., Zabinski, Jeffrey S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cesium oxythiomolybdate (Cs 2MoOS 3); Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Laser deposition; Materials science; Mechanical and acoustical properties; Methods of deposition of films and coatings; film growth and epitaxy; Physical properties of thin films, nonelectronic; Physics; Surfaces and interfaces; thin films and whiskers (structure and nonelectronic properties); Tribology; X-Ray diffraction (XRD); X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
• ISSN: 0040-6090; 1879-2731
• DOI: 10.1016/S0040-6090(01)01743-6

Cesium oxythiomolybdate (Cs 2MoOS 3) is under consideration as a high temperature solid lubricant for silicon nitride bearings. However, Cs 2MoOS 3 oxidizes below the proposed maximum use temperature of 800 °C, and the oxidation process is complex. In the presence of silicon nitride, the oxidation reactions change. The purpose of the present research was to determine the chemistry of Cs 2MoOS 3 coatings grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on several substrates (Si 3N 4, SiC, Inconel, Al 2O 3 and ZrO 2), and to determine the changes in chemistry and crystal structure after annealing in air to temperatures up to 800 °C. Many of the oxidation products identified are expected to be lubricious at elevated temperatures.