The Improvement of the Irradiation Resistance of Amorphous MoS(2) Films by Thermal Annealing

Among the structural materials used in fusion reactors, amorphous materials can effectively inhibit the accumulation and growth of radiation-induced defects, thereby improving irradiation resistance. However, the application of solid lubricating materials should also consider the changes in their lubricating properties after irradiation. This study shows that the ability to inhibit the deterioration of lubricating properties is not reflected in the amorphous MoS(2) film. When the ion fluence reached 4.34 × 10(14) ion/cm(2), its wear life was reduced by two orders of magnitude, reaching 8.2 × 10(3) revolutions. After the amorphous MoS(2) film is vacuum annealed, its structural stability and resistance to deterioration of lubricating properties are improved. When the ion fluence reaches 1.09 × 10(15) ion/cm(2), for instance, the wear life of the MoS(2) film annealed at 300 °C remains at 8.4 × 10(4) revolutions. The higher irradiation tolerance of MoS(2) films comes from the reduction in intrinsic defects by thermal annealing, which increases the internal grain size and volume fraction of grain boundaries, further providing an effective sink for irradiation defects.