A series of asymmetrical tetraalkylphosphonium ionic liquids were synthesized and evaluated as a new kind of lubricant for the contact of steel/steel using an Optimol SRV oscillating friction and wear tester in ambient condition. The phosphonium ionic liquid shows excellent tribological performance when being used as the lubricating oil, and is superior to the conventional high temperature lubricants X-1P and perfluoropolyether (PFPE) in terms of anti-wear performance and load-carrying capacity. The chemical compositions of the boundary film generated on different contact surfaces were analyzed on a scanning electron microscope with a Kevex energy dispersive X-ray analyzer attachment (SEM/EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS). The friction-reduction and anti-wear mechanism of tetraalkylphosphonium as the lubricant were proposed to originate from the active elements P in the tetraalkylphosphonium ionic liquids reacting with the fresh surface to form a reaction film onto specimen surface, an extreme-pressure film with lower shearing strength, which leads to lower friction coefficient, and good wear resistance.

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