Tribological properties of graphitic nanoparticles produced by laser vaporization of graphite in nitrogen Original Research Article

Graphitic particles showing polyhedral structures of 100–800 nm diameter (average 327 nm) were fabricated by laser vaporization of graphite in a high pressure N2 gas environment (0.9 MPa). From X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, three atomic percent (at.%) of the nitrogen atoms was detected in the polyhedral graphite (PG) particles. Nonuniformity in the distribution of nitrogen indicates bonding formation at defects or domain boundaries in the polyhedra forming the PG particles. Adding the PG particles improve the tribological properties of a polyimide-based composite. In particular, the PG particles provided better wear-resistance than those of graphite and related nanocarbon materials.