In situ Raman observation of structural transformation of diamond-like carbon films lubricated with MoDTC solution: Mechanism of wear acceleration of DLC films lubricated with MoDTC solution

The structural transformation of a hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H) film lubricated with MoDTC solution was investigated using a laboratory-built in situ Raman tribometer. Especially, we aimed to reveal the wear acceleration of DLC films lubricated with MoDTC solution. All our results suggest that the main reasons of wear acceleration of DLC films lubricated with MoDTC solution are the chemical wear caused by chemical reactions between the MoDTC-derived compounds and DLC surfaces to produce Mo-carbides and the abrasive wear caused by Mo-carbides particles produced by the chemical reactions. •The wear acceleration of a-C:H films lubricated with MoDTC solution was observed.•The chemical wear was caused by the interaction between Mo and a-C:H surface.•The abrasive wear was caused by Mo carbide particles.•The wear acceleration was caused by the chemical and abrasive wear.