The outstanding tribological performance of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is attributed to their unique sandwich microstructure and low interlayer shear stress. This advantageous structure allows TMDs to demonstrate exceptional friction reduction properties. Furthermore, the incorporation of TMDs and amorphous carbon (a-C) in multi-layer structures shows excellent potential for further enhancing tribological and anti-oxidation properties. Amorphous carbon, known for its high ductility, chemical inertness, and excellent wear resistance, significantly contributes to the overall performance of these multi-layer coatings. To gain an in-depth understanding of the tribological mechanism and evolution of TMDs’ multi-layer coatings, a dual in-situ analysis was carried out using a tribometer equipped with a 3D laser microscope and a Raman spectrometer. This innovative approach allowed for a comprehensive evolution of the tribological, topographical, and tribochemical characteristics of both single-layer WS₂ and multi-layer WS₂/C coatings in real time. The findings from the dual in-situ tribotest revealed distinct failure characteristics between the single-layer WS₂ coating and the multi-layer WS₂/C coating. The single-layer WS₂ coating predominantly experienced failure due to mechanical removal, whereas a combination of mechanical removal and tribochemistry primarily influenced the failure of the multi-layer WS₂/C coating. The tribological evolution process of these two coatings can be classified into four stages on the basis of their tribological behavior: the running-in stage, stable friction stage, re-deposition stage, and lubrication failure stage. Each stage represents a distinct phase in the tribological behavior of the coatings and contributes to our understanding of their behavior during sliding.

过渡金属二硫属化物（TMD）出色的摩擦学性能归因于其独特的夹层微观结构和低层间剪切应力。这种有利的结构使 TMD 能够展现出卓越的减摩性能。此外，在多层结构中加入TMD和无定形碳（aC）显示出进一步增强摩擦学和抗氧化性能的巨大潜力。非晶碳以其高延展性、化学惰性和优异的耐磨性而闻名，对这些多层涂层的整体性能做出了重大贡献。为了深入了解 TMD 多层涂层的摩擦学机制和演变，使用配备 3D 激光显微镜和拉曼光谱仪的摩擦仪进行了双原位分析。这种创新方法可以实时全面改进单层 WS ₂和多层 WS _{2 /C 涂层的摩擦学、形貌和摩擦化学特性。双}原位摩擦测试的结果揭示了单层 WS ₂涂层和多层 WS ₂ /C 涂层之间不同的失效特征。单层WS ₂涂层主要因机械去除而失效，而机械去除和摩擦化学的组合主要影响多层WS ₂ /C涂层的失效。这两种涂层的摩擦学演化过程根据其摩擦学行为可分为四个阶段：磨合阶段、稳定摩擦阶段、再沉积阶段和润滑失效阶段。每个阶段都代表涂层摩擦学行为的一个独特阶段，有助于我们了解其滑动过程中的行为。