Sublimed C60 films for tribology

Abstract

Fullerenes take the form of hollow, geodesic domes, which are formed from a network of pentagons and hexagons. The C₆₀ molecule has the highest possible symmetry (icosahedral) and assumes the shape of a soccer ball. At room temperature, fullerene molecules pack in a face‐centered‐cubic lattice bonded with weak van der Waals attractions. Fullerenes can be dissolved in solvents such as toluene and benzene and easily sublimed. The resilience, high load bearing capacity, low surface energy, high chemical stability, and spherical shape of C₆₀ molecules and weak intermolecular bonding offer great potential for various mechanical and tribological applications. Sublimed films of C₆₀ have been produced and friction and wear performance of these films in various operating environments are the subject of this letter.