Surface forces mediated by novel polymers under tribological contact

可以通过降低油的粘度来减少摩擦，但这通常会增加金属表面的磨损。众所周知，某些表面活性剂和聚合物可以在保持磨损性能的同时减少摩擦。在这种摩擦学条件下，在固-液界面形成的结构目前还不清楚。这个PHD将使用一系列定制的合成聚合物(在聚合物结构和化学上具有受控的变化)来确定层结构、厚度和性能。该方案将包括使用在布里斯托尔建立的表面力仪器(SFA)，直接测量聚合物层在约束和剪切作用下产生的表面力和摩擦力。此外，还将利用X射线和中子反射来研究聚合物层的界面结构。

Friction can be reduced by lowering the viscosity of the oil, but this generally results in an increase in wear of the metal surface. It is known that certain surfactants and polymers can reduce friction whilst maintaining wear performance. The structures formed at the solid-liquid interface and under such tribological conditions are not currently understood. This PhD will use a range of bespoke synthesised polymers (with controlled variation in polymer architecture and chemistry) to determine layer structure, thickness and properties. The programme will include use of surface forces apparatus (SFA) established in Bristol to directly measure the surface forces and friction mediated by polymer layers under confinement and shear. Complementarily, X-ray and neutron reflection will be employed to study the interfacial structure of the polymer layer.