Self-assembled monolayer of multiply-alkylated cyclopentenes on silicon via UV-induced hydrosilylation and its self-lubricating properties

Highlights: • Novel self-lubricating strategy was established via UV-induced hydrosilylation. • MACDEs, analogue of MACs, were self-assembled onto H-Si100 wafer. • The SAMs exhibited superior friction reduction and wear resistance. - Abstract: Novel self-lubricating strategy was established by fabricating a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of multiply-alkylated cyclopentenes (MACEs) via a facile UV-induced hydrosilylation on the hydrogen-terminated silicon (100) (H-Si100) substrate. The effect of the UV-induced hydrosilylation times on the surface properties (static contact angle and surface roughness) and tribological properties (friction reduction and wear resistance) were investigated. The results showed that the UV-induced hydrosilylation time of 6 min was enough for an excellent self-lubricating film with low friction coefficient and long tribological durability. The proposed self-lubricating strategy is expected to be used in the lubrication of micro-/nano-electromechanical systems (MEMSs/NEMSs).