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Radio frequency-sputtered MoS 2 films had been exposed for 43.5 h in real low earth orbit (LEO) space environment by a space environment exposure device (SEED) aboard China Shenzhou-7 manned spaceship. The composition, morphology, phase structure and friction property of the exposed films were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and ball-on-disk tribometer. XRD and EDS results revealed that the as-deposited MoS 2 films were characterized by a MoS x O y phase structure, in which x and y values were determined to be ∼0.65 and 1.24, respectively. XPS analysis revealed that due to space atomic oxygen attack, the film surface was oxidized to MoO 3 and MoS x O y with higher O concentration, while the partial S was lost. However, the affected depth was restricted within the surface layer because of protective function of the oxidation layer. As a result, the friction coefficient only exhibited a slight increase at initial stage of sliding friction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ag films, deposited by arc ion plating, had been exposed for 43.5 h in real low earth orbit (LEO) space environment by a space environment exposure device (SEED) aboard the China Shenzhou-7 manned spaceship. The structure, morphology, composition and tribological property of the Ag films after the space environment exposure (SEE) were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS) and ball-on-disk tribometer, respectively. Depth XPS and XRD analysis revealed that after the SEE, the surface layer of Ag films was partially oxidized to Ag 2 O, the cracking and flaking phenomena could be observed from the film surface by FESEM, and so the Ag films lose its metallic shine and became gray. As a result, the tribological performance was deteriorated and the high/unstable friction was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]