A novel water-soluble poly(vinyl alcohol)-carbon nanotubes (PVA-CNTs) was prepared. Results of four-ball tribotester indicated that both the load-carrying capacity and anti-wear of the PVA-CNTs were superior to those PVA owing to the additive reinforced by CNTs. Based on scan electron microscopy examinations of worn surfaces, their lubrication mechanism was deduced preliminarily. The morphology and microtribological properties of PVA-CNTs thin films on mica were investigated by atomic force microscopy/friction force microscopy (AFM/FFM). The friction of the films was stable with the change of applied load and the friction coefficient decreased significantly as the CNTs addition. The results show that the rigid rod-like CNTs in polymer would enhance load-bearing and anti-wear properties of the thin films.
['Xuefeng Li', 'Shaoxian Peng']
Tribology of poly(vinyl alcohol)-carbon nanotube composites