Synthesis of fullerene-itaconic acid copolymer nanoball and its lubrication properties study

A novel Fullerene-Itaconic acid copolymer is synthesized via radical polyme rization. It is soluble in polar solvents such as water, methanol, acetone and tetrahydrofuran etc.. The molecular structure is identified and charact erized by FTIR, UV-Vis and GPC. TEM analyses shows that it presents an idea l spherical shape in water with an average diameter of about 48nm. Four-bal l tests show that the addition of a certain concentration of the Fullerene copolymer to the base stock can effectively raise the load-carrying capacit y (P-B Value) and the antiwear ability. JSM-35C model scanning electron mic roscope (SEM) is used to examine the morphologies of the worn surfaces, whi ch show that the additive results in a smaller wear scar diameter and a mor e shallow wear grooving.