Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation of the effect of cross-linking on the wear mechanism of polymer brush

The effects of a cross-linking layer on the wear resistance of polymer brush were investigated by using molecular dynamics-based sliding simulations. We found that a cross-linking layer improved wear resistance. The cross-linking layer suppressed the interpenetration of polymer chains on the counter surface and thus lowered the frictional force and wear. The degrees of interpenetration decreased as the cross-linking layer closed to the tip of the chain. A cross-linking layer in the tip of the polymer chains was thus found to improve wear resistance most effectively.