Bi2S3 and MoS2 Soft Coatings: A Comparative Study of Their Frictional Behavior Under Different Humidity Levels, Contact Stresses, and Sliding Speeds

Abstract Bi2S3 is a promising solid lubricant for demanding applications, such as oil extraction, heavy mining, and aerospace components. However, so far its tribological behavior has not been studied in depth. Bi2S3 soft coatings were evaluated utilizing reciprocating sliding tests under different levels of relative humidity level, contact stress, and sliding speed and the results were benchmarked against MoS2 coatings. In addition, ab initio calculations using density functional theory modeling were employed for studying the interaction between the sulfides and the steel substrates and the effect of water intercalation at an atomic level. It was found that Bi2S3 presents excellent environmental adaptability and substrate protection over a wide range of testing conditions, thanks to its characteristic crystal structure.