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Boundary lubrication with aqueous solutions of silicone-based amphiphilic block copolymer aggregates: effect of concentration

Polymer Journal volume 53, pages 1123–1132 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

The thin film structures and tribological properties of aqueous solutions of a silicone-based amphiphilic block copolymer, bis-isobutyl polyethylene glycol (PEG)-14/amodimethicone (BIPA) copolymer, confined between mica surfaces were investigated using the surface forces apparatus. Measurements were made for three BIPA concentrations (0.005, 0.05, and 0.5 wt%); the effect of concentration on the structures and properties was evaluated. The BIPA molecules had positive charges in the solutions and formed an adsorbed layer on a negatively charged mica surface. The static hard-wall thicknesses were within the range of 3.3–5.6 nm for the three concentrations. Applying sliding motions under load L further decreased the thickness. The minimum dynamic thicknesses were 2.4–2.7 nm for the three concentrations, indicative of sliding between two adsorbed BIPA molecular layers. The friction coefficients were on the order of 10−5 for the three concentrations; extremely low friction was obtained originating from the slippage of the fluid-like water layer between the adsorbed layers. All three concentrations exhibited good lubricity, but precise comparison implies some differences in the film structures and friction mechanisms. The details of the differences were discussed from the perspective of the dissolution states of BIPA in the solutions and adsorbed/sliding conformations.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Prof. Shin-ichi Yusa of the University of Hyogo for his useful suggestion, to Taichi Habe of Kao Corporation for supporting AFM experiments, and to Kao Corporation for permission to publish this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. R&D—Analytical Science Research, Kao Corporation, Wakayama, Japan

    Hikaru Kimura, Takumi Miyamoto & Shinji Yamada

  2. R&D—Hair Care Products Research, Kao Corporation, Tokyo, Japan

    Naoyuki Yamazaki & Shunichi Watanabe

Authors
  1. Hikaru Kimura
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  2. Takumi Miyamoto
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  3. Naoyuki Yamazaki
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  4. Shunichi Watanabe
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Correspondence to Shinji Yamada.

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Kimura, H., Miyamoto, T., Yamazaki, N. et al. Boundary lubrication with aqueous solutions of silicone-based amphiphilic block copolymer aggregates: effect of concentration. Polym J 53, 1123–1132 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-021-00515-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-021-00515-w

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