Tribological performance of IL/(GO-MWCNT) coatings in high-vacuum and irradiation environments

In this paper, we investigated the effect of space irradiation on the lubricating properties of IL/(GO-MWCNT) solid–liquid lubricating coatings. The solid–liquid lubricating coatings consist of ionic liquids (IL), graphene oxide (GO), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Irradiation experiments were carried out using ground simulation equipment. Atomic oxygen (AO), ultraviolet (UV), proton (Pr), and electron (El) irradiation alter the composition, structure, morphology, and tribological properties of solid–liquid lubricating coatings. The experimental results show the composition changes induced by irradiation, including the decomposition of ILs lubricants. The damage to the lubricating material was the most serious by Pr irradiation and the least by UV irradiation.