Surface Modification of Carbon Hard Sphere Via Surface Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Lubricants play an integral role in the operation of several technologies and in biology also, ranging from moving parts in machinery to the biolubrication of artificial joints. We have found that a colloidal dispersion consisting of easily synthesized highly spherical and uniform carbon particles coupled with surface grafting of polymers that results in a very effective water soluble lubricant with low friction coefficient and excellent surface wear protection. We propose that these particles would increase the overall friction coeffient than without the grafted polymer. These particles use a rolling mechanism similar to nano –or microscale ball bearing under confinement. The effect of several parameters of lubrication including the thickness of the grafted polymer layer, type of polymer grafted, along with the size and porosity of the carbon particles will be presented.