Synthesis of homogeneous carbon-onion and application to friction control

Purpose of this project is to produce high density carbon onion films by optimizing the formation process of silver film, injecting process of carbon ions and thermal process. In particular, effects of parameters of injection process are investigated and injection mechanism of carbon ions are clarified. It was found that the carbon onion particles grow to 20 nm in diameter, but do not grow any more, namely homogeneous size of carbon onion particles are produced in large numbers, and that the density of particles can be changed by controlling the thermal process and temperature. It was also found the final thermal process can evaporate the silver atoms and the film made of only carbon particles can be produced. It was shown that the CNP film exhibits superlubricity, i.e. friction coefficient smaller than 0.01, under the hydrogen gas conditions.