Exploring the atmospheric tribological properties of MoS₂-(Cr, Nb, Ti, Al, V) composite coatings by high throughput preparation method

The high-throughput preparation of MoS₂-(Cr, Nb, Ti, Al, V) composite coatings was achieved by multi-targets co-sputtering method. Based on the obtained friction coefficient of 236 samples as the criterion, four samples with the largest difference in friction coefficient were screened out for further detailed investigations. The results demonstrated that high metal doping amount can dense the coating and reduce the particle size. As the doping content increased, the coating transformed from nanocrystalline to amorphous structure. Consequently, MoS₂-(Cr, Nb, Ti, Al, V) composite coatings with high doping levels presented higher hardness and better atmospheric tribological properties. Moreover, the Cr and Al dopants can better inhibit the oxidation of MoS₂ than Nb, Ti and V dopants owing to the denser oxide films.