Phosphazene-based ionic liquids: synthesis, temperature-dependent viscosity, and effect as additives in water lubrication of silicon nitride ceramics.

Phosphazene rings with (dimethylamino)ethoxy (1, 2), pyridylmethoxy (3), or (dimethylamino)propoxy (4) chains were synthesized and quaternized at the substitutent nitrogen by treatment with methyl iodide at 35 degrees C over 3-6 h to give polyiodo salts, 5-8. Subsequent metathesis with LiN(SO(2)CF(3))(2) or NaBF(4) gave the respective ionic salts, 9-13. The amide salts, 9-12, were viscous liquids with pour points at 55-100 degrees C, and the tetrafluoroborate salt, 13, was a solid, mp 168 degrees C. The compositions of 2 and 5-13 were confirmed by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 were viscous liquids (d(25) = 1.67 g cm(-3); eta(25) = 0.76-1.56 mPa s(-1) ) with pour points at approximately 15 degrees C. The solid polyquaternary salts, 5-8, melted at 130-194 degrees C. The ionic liquids, 9-12, had an average density of approximately 1.73 g cm(-3) at 25 degrees C, and viscosities (25 degrees C) ranged between 68.3 and 139.2 mPa s(-1). A plot of the viscosities of 9-12 vs temperature revealed an almost linear correlation between 55 and 120 degrees C. Friction and wear properties of water with 0.25 wt % of 9-12 as boundary lubricant additives were evaluated on Si(3)N(4)/Si(3)N(4) ceramic interfaces. The most significant observation is that they caused a decrease in the running-in period.