High-Sensitivity Low-Energy Ion Spectroscopy with Sub-Nanometer Depth Resolution Reveals Oxidation Resistance of MoS Increases with Film Density and Shear-Induced Nanostructural Modifications of the Surface.

For decades, density has been attributed as a critical aspect of the structure of sputter-deposited nanocrystalline molybdenum disulfide (MoS) coatings impacting oxidation resistance and wear resistance. Despite its importance, there are few examples in the literature that explicitly investigate the relationship between the density and oxidation behaviors of MoS coatings. Aging and oxidation are primary considerations for the use of MoS coatings in aerospace applications as they inevitably experience prolonged storage in water and oxygen-rich environments prior to use.