Tribological characteristics of two imidazolium-based room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium
tetrafluoroborate, and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate were investigated under high vacuum conditions. Viscosity–temperature
characteristics and thermogravimetric characteristics of these compounds were also investigated. Imidazolium-based RTILs have
relatively good viscosity–temperature characteristics that are comparable to those of multiply-alkylated cyclopentane (MAC).
Thermogravimetric results showed that ionic liquids have high thermal stability and low vapor pressure. Ionic liquids showed
low friction and low wear rate under high vacuum conditions, and high load-carrying capacity was observed.
Keywords Ionic liquids - High vacuum - Friction - Wear - Viscosity–temperature characteristics - Thermal stability - Vapor pressure