Self-Lubricating and Self-Healing MoS2/WS2 Nanocoatings on Polymers deposited by APPJ: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

High-performance polymers (PEEK, PA11) are vital in lightweight engineering but limited by friction and wear. This review analyzes self-lubricating and self-healing MoS₂ and WS₂ coatings deposited via atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ). By integrating recent literature with the authors’ previous studies [25,26], the paper evaluates coating design, microstructure, and tribology on polymer substrates. While lamellar sliding ensures low friction, WS₂ offers stability in humidity, and MoS₂ provides adaptive self-healing via crack filling. The review concludes that optimized coatings significantly enhance durability and provide guidelines for designing high-performance, multifunctional polymer surfaces.