Lubricant for thin film storage media

Abstract

Embodiments relate to lubricants disposed over magnetic storage media, such as rotatable thin film magnetic discs. One embodiment comprises a lubricant compound of a fluoropolyether chain having one or more carbonyl-imide pairs. In one aspect, the carbonyl-imide pair may be located at one end, both ends, and/or in the middle of the fluoropolyether chain. Another embodiment comprises a method of manufacturing a magnetic storage medium comprising forming a magnetic layer over a substrate. Then, a lubricant topcoat is applied over the magnetic layer. The lubricant topcoat may comprise a fluoropolyether having one or more carbonyl-imide pairs. Still another embodiment comprises a magnetic storage medium including a substrate, a magnetic layer formed over the substrate, and a lubricant topcoat formed over the magnetic layer. The lubricant topcoat may comprise a fluoropolyether having one or more carbonyl-imide pairs.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to lubricants. More particularly, embodiments relate to lubricants disposed over magnetic storage media, such as rotatable thin film magnetic discs.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Information storage systems, such as disk drives found in personal computers and other data processing devices, employ a rigid magnetic storage medium, such as a disc, which is moved relative to a read/write head to provide information introduction and/or retrieval from the magnetic storage medium. The magnetic storage medium is typically comprised of a thin rigid substrate, an underlayer, a magnetic layer, and a protective overcoat.

[0005] In the operation of typical disk drives, the read/write head begins to slide against the surface of the disc as the disc begins to rotate. Upon reaching a predetermined rotational speed, the head floats in air at a predetermined distance from the surface of the disc where the head is maintained during reading and recording operations. The read/write head floats very close to the surface of the disc during movement to maximize the signal quality. However, flying too low can cause wear and material interaction which lead to poor system reliability and performance. Upon terminating operation of the disk drive, the head again beings to slide against the surface of the disc.

[0006] To reduce the wear and material interaction on the surface of the disc, the disc further includes a lubricant topcoat typically applied over the protective overcoat. The lubricant is intended to reduce the wear of the interface between the read-write head and the disc, especially during start/stop cycles in which the head is in contact with the disc. The lubricant system typically comprises a mixture of a perfluoropolyether, such as “Fomblin ZDOL” available from Ausimont, and a catalytic blocking agent, such as the hexaphenoxy compound “X-1P” available from Dow Chemicals Co. The perfluoropolyether provides lubrication of the disc while the catalytic blocking agent prevents catalytic decomposition of the perfluoropolyether. It is believed that the catalytic blocking agent prevents exposed metal sites of the head or of the disc from reacting with the perfluoropolyether.

[0007] One problem with the lubricant system including a mixture of a lubricant compound, such as a perfluoropolyether, and a catalytic blocking agent, such as a hexaphenoxy compound, is that the catalytic blocking agent may be immiscible with the lubricant compound and may form droplets of the catalytic blocking agent on the lubricant compound. This “phase separation” between the lubricant compound and the catalytic blocking agent may cause reduced protection of the lubricant compound by the catalytic blocking agent. Moreover, the droplets of the catalytic blocking agent at the surface of the disc may perturb the head during operation of the disk drive, thus, causing the head to improperly read or write to the disc.

[0008] Therefore, there is a continuing need for an improved lubricant system to be used with magnetic storage media.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Embodiments relate to lubricants disposed over magnetic storage media, such as rotatable thin film magnetic discs. One embodiment comprises a lubricant compound of a fluoropolyether chain having one or more carbonyl-imide pairs. In one aspect, the carbonyl-imide pair may be located at one end, both ends, and/or in the middle of the fluoropolyether chain. Another embodiment comprises a method of manufacturing a magnetic storage medium comprising forming a magnetic layer over a substrate. Then, a lubricant topcoat is applied over the magnetic layer. The lubricant topcoat may comprise a fluoropolyether having one or more carbonyl-imide pairs. Still another embodiment comprises a magnetic storage medium including a substrate, a magnetic layer formed over the substrate, and a lubricant topcoat formed over the magnetic layer. The lubricant topcoat may comprise a fluoropolyether having one or more carbonyl-imide pairs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic top plan view of one exemplary embodiment of an information storage system.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one exemplary embodiment of a magnetic storage medium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0013] FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic top plan view of one exemplary embodiment of an information storage system 10. The information storage system 10 may include a sealed housing 12, a magnetic storage medium 14 which is usually in the form of a disc or discs, a read/write head 16, and an actuator assembly 17. The actuator assembly 17 may include an actuator arm 18 for positioning the read/write head 16 disposed at the end of the actuator arm 18 over the surface of the storage medium 14. Multiple read/write heads may also be employed. The read/write head 16 carries a read/write element, which can be any type of read/write element known in the art, such as inductive thin film, MIG or MR. The storage medium 14, such as a disc or discs, may be mounted to a spindle motor 10 which spins the storage medium 14. The information storage system 10 may include a header assembly 22 to transfer electronic signals to and from a motor 24 which positions the actuator and the read/write head 16 as data is transferred to and from the storage medium 14. The information storage system 10 may be employed with a computer, printer or fax machine or other host system. Other embodiments of an information storage system may also be used.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one exemplary embodiment of a magnetic storage medium 102. The magnetic storage medium 102 includes a substrate 104. The substrate 104 typically comprises an aluminum (Al) alloy material, such as an aluminum-magnesium (Al—Mg) alloy, plated with an amorphous nickel-phosphorus layer. Alternatively, the substrate 104 may comprise other materials, such as glass, glass-ceramic, graphite materials, other materials, and combinations thereof. An underlayer 106, such as a chromium (Cr) or chromium alloy underlayer, may be formed over each side of the substrate 104. The underlayer 106 may be applied as a composite comprising a plurality of sub-layers 106A. A magnetic layer 108, such as a cobalt alloy magnetic layer, may be formed over the underlayer 106. A protective overcoat 110, such as a carbon overcoat, may be formed over the magnetic layer. The carbon overcoat may also incorporate other elements, such as hydrogen and/or nitrogen. A lubricant topcoat 112, such as a lubricant topcoat comprising the lubricant composition described in greater detail below, may be formed over the protective overcoat 110. The surface of the magnetic storage medium 112 may be textured or untextured. Also, separate textured data and landing zones may be provided on the surface of the disc. As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic storage medium 112 includes thin film layers deposited on each side of the substrate 104. In other embodiments, thin film layers may be deposited on one side of the substrate 104. Other embodiments of a magnetic storage medium may also be used.

[0015] The lubricant composition, such as the lubricant composition of the lubricant topcoat in FIG. 2, includes a lubricant compound comprising a fluoropolyether chain having at least one carbonyl-imide pair. One embodiment of the lubricant compound comprises a fluoropolyether chain having a carbonyl-imide pair at one end of the fluoropolyether chain having the general structure of the formula:

Cl1-FPE1  (1)

[0016] in which Cl1 represents a carbonyl-imide pair and FPE1 represent a fluoropolyether chain. Another embodiment of the lubricant compound comprises a fluoropolyether chain having a carbonyl-imide pair at both ends of the fluoropolyether chain having the general structure of the formula:

Cl2-FPE2—Cl3  (2)

[0017] in which Cl2 and Cl3 each represents a carbonyl-imide pair, which may be the same or different, but are preferably the same, and in which FPE2 represent a fluoropolyether chain.

[0018] In regards to formula (1) and formula (2), the carbonyl-imide pair of Cl1, Cl2, and Cl3 may each represent a carbonyl-imide pair having the general structure of the formula of R1═N—(C—R2)—(C═O)— or R1═N—(N—R3)—(C═O)—, [Inventors, is this correct or is the description of the carbonyl-imide pair too broad or too narrow?] in which R1, R2 and R3 are the same or different and may be

[0019] [Inventors, is this a correct list of what the functional groups of the carbonyl-imide pair may be?] R1, R2, and R3 may be substituted or unsubstituted. Preferably, R1 and R2 or R1 and R3 together with the atoms binding them can form a ring or rings system. More preferably, R1 and R2 or R1 and R3 together with the atoms binding them can form an aromatic ring or rings system. [Inventors, is it correct that an aromatic ring system is preferably formed?]

[0020] Examples of preferred embodiments of the carbonyl-imide pairs of Cl1, Cl2, and/or Cl3 having the general structure of the formula of R1═N—(C—R2)—(C═O)— or R1═N—(N—R3)—(C═O)—, include the following: 12

[0021] [Inventors, can you provide the chemical names of the above groups] in which each R group may be the same or different and may be a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, haloalkenyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, aryl, haloaryl, arylalky, or haloarylalky group. [Inventors, is this a complete list of the possible R groups]

[0022] In regards to formula (1) and formula (2), the fluoropolyether chain of FPE1 and FPE2 may each be represented by the general structure having the formula —(OR4)v—(OR5)w—(OR6)x—(OR7)y—O—R8, in which R4, R5, R6, R7, are the same or different and may be a fluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl group, preferably a C1-10 fluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl group. V may be between 1 and 10, preferably is 1. W may be between 1 and 500. X and Y are the same or different and may be between 0 and 500. For FPE1, R8 may be a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, alcohol, carboxylic acids, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, halooxy, aryl, haloaryl, arylalky, haloarylalky, or piperonyl group. For FPE2, R8 may be represented by the general structure of the formula —(OR9)Z—O—, in which R9 may be a fluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl group, preferably a C1-10 fluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl group. Z may be between 1 and 10, preferably is 1. [Inventors, is this a correct characterization of the fluoropolyether chain for FPE1 and FPE2?] Examples of preferred embodiments of the fluoropolyether chain of FPE1 and FPE2 include a fluoropolyether chain having one or more of the following groups: (—O—CF2)n; (—O—CF2—CF2)n; (—O—CF2—CF2—CF2)n; (—O—CF2—CF(CF3))n. For FPE1, such fluoropolyether chains preferably include:

[0023] —OCH2CF2—(O—F2)p—(O—CF2—CF2)q—OCF2CH2—OH; and

[0024] —OCH2CF2—(O—CF2—CF2)q—(O—F2)p—OCF2C H2—OH;

[0025] in which Q and P may be the same or different and may be between 1 and 500. For FPE2, such fluoropolyether chains preferably include:

[0026] —OCH2CF2—(O—F2)p—(O—CF2—CF2)q—OCF2CH2—O—;

[0027] in which Q and P may be the same or different and may be between 1 and 500. [Inventors, is this a correct description of the preferred embodiments of FPE1 and FPE2] Other fluoropolyethers which may be used for FPE1 and FPE2, include the following and their derivatives thereof:

[0028] —(O—CF2)p—(O—CF2—CF2—)q—O—CF3;

[0029] —(O—CF2—CF2)q—(O—CF2)p—O—CF3;

[0030] —(O—F2)p—(O—CF2—CF(CF3))q—O—CF3;

[0031] —(O—CF2—CF(CF3))q-(O—F2)p—O—CF3;

[0032] —(O—CF2—CF2—CF2)p—O—CF2—CF3;

[0033] —(O—CF2—CF2—CF2)p—O—CF2—CF2—CF3;

[0034] —(O—CF2—CF(CF3))q—O—CF2—CF3;

[0035] —(O)—(CF(CF3)—CF—O)q—CF2—CF2—CF3;

[0036] in which Q and P may be the same or different and may be between 1 and 500.

[0037] Preferred embodiments of the lubricant compound comprise a fluoropolyether chain having the carbonyl-imide pair at both ends of a fluoropolyether chain of formula (2). A particularly preferred embodiment of the lubricant compound comprises the compound termed “Pi-Z” of the general structure: 3

[0038] in which P and Q may be the same or different, but are preferably the same, and may be between 1 and 500. Another particularly preferred embodiment of the lubricant compound comprises the compound termed “Py-Z” of the general structure: 4

[0039] in which P and Q may be the same or different, but are preferably the same, and may be between 1 and 500.

[0040] Another embodiment of the present lubricant compound comprises a fluoropolyether chain having a carbonyl-imide pair at the middle of the fluoropolyether chain having the general structure of the formula:

FPE3—Cl4-FPE4  (3)

[0041] in which Cl4 represents a carbonyl-imide pair and FPE3 and FPE4 represent a fluoropolyether chain, which may be the same or different, but are preferably the same.

[0042] In regards to formula (3), the carbonyl-imide pair of Cl4 may represent a carbonyl-imide pair having the general formula of —(C═O)—R11═N—R12—(C═O)—, in which R11 and R12 are the same or different and may be an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, arlyalkyl, arlyalkenyl, amine, imine, aromatic, or hetero cyclic aromatic group. R11 and R12 may be substituted or unsubstituted. Preferably, R11 and R12 together with the atoms binding them can form a ring or rings system. More preferably, R11 and R12 together with the atoms binding them can form an aromatic ring or rings system. [Inventors, is this a correct characterization of the carbonyl-imide pair? Is it too broad or too narrow?]

[0043] An example of a preferred embodiment of a carbonyl-imide pair of Cl4, include the following: 5

[0044] in which each R group may be the same or different and may be a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, haloalkenyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, aryl, haloaryl, arylalky, or haloarylalky group.

[0045] In regards to formulas (3), the fluoropolyether chain of FPE3 and FPE4 may each be represented by general structure having the formula —(OR13)v—(OR14)w—(OR15)x—(OR16)y—O—R17, in which R13, R14, R15, R6, are different and may be a fluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl groups, preferably a C1-10 fluoroalkyl or perfluoroalkyl group. V may be between 1 and 10, preferably is 1. W may be between 1 and 500. X and Y are the same or different and may be between 0 and 500. R7 may be a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, alcohol, carboxylic acids, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, halooxy, aryl, haloaryl, arylalky, or haloarylalky group. Examples of preferred embodiments of the fluoropolyether chain of FPE1 and FPE2 include a fluoropolyether chain having one or more of the following groups: (—O—CF2)n; (—O—CF2—CF2)n; (—O—CF2—CF2—CF2)n; (—O—CF2—CF(CF3))n. Such fluoropolyether chains preferably include:

[0046] —OCH2CF2—(O—F2)p—(O—CF2—CF2)q—OCF2CH2—OH; and

[0047] —OCH2CF2—(O—CF2—CF2)q—(O—F2)p—OCF2CH2—OH;

[0048] in which Q and P may be the same or different and may be between 1 and 500. Other fluoropolyethers which may be used for FPE1 and FPE2, include the following and their derivatives thereof:

[0049] —(O—CF2)p—(O—CF2—CF2—)q—O—CF3;

[0050] —(O—CF2—CF2)q—(O—CF2)p—O—CF3;

[0051] —(O—F2)p—(O—CF2—CF(CF3))q—O—CF3;

[0052] —(O—CF2—CF(CF3))q-(O—F2)p—O—CF3;

[0053] —(O—CF2—CF2—CF2)p—O—CF2—CF3;

[0054] —(O—CF2—CF2—CF2)p—O—CF2—CF2—CF3;

[0055] —(O—CF2—CF(CF3))q—O—CF2—CF3;

[0056] —(O)—(CF(CF3)—CF—O)q—CF2—CF2—CF3;

[0057] in which Q and P may be the same or different and may be between 1 and 500. A particularly preferred embodiment of the lubricant compound comprises the compound termed “Pi-2Z” of the general structure: 6

[0058] in which P and Q may be the same or different, but are preferably the same.

[0059] Other embodiments of the present lubricant compound are possible such as a fluoropolyether chain having a plurality of carbonyl-imide pairs. For example, the lubricant compound may comprise the general structure of the formula: Cl-FPE-Cl-FPE-Cl; Cl-FPE-Cl-FPE-Cl-FPE-Cl; and other possible structures. Embodiments of the present invention include fluoropolyether homopolymers, copolymers, random polymers, and block polymers. Different repeat units may be randomly distributed along the backbone of the fluoropolyether or distributed as a block of one type of repeat unit and subsequent blocks of different repeat units along the backbone of the fluoropolyether. The fluoropolyether can be completely fluorinated or partially fluorinated and can be linear or branched.

[0060] One example of the synthesis process for preparing PiZ comprises the following general equation: 7

[0061] The process comprises dissolving Zdeal (10 g, 5 mmol), available from Austimont, in a hydrofluorocarbon “Vertel XF” (20 mL) available from DuPont. Then, 2-pyridinecarboxylic chloride (1.56 g, 11 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.1 g) in dichloromethane (10 mL) were added to the solution. Triethylamine was added in drop-wisely to the solution as an acid acceptor, and the mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 4 hours. The solution was poured into Vertel XF (100 mL) after it was cooled, and washed with a dilute HCl aqueous solution. A evaporation step followed by and a supercritical fluid extraction purification step provided a clear liquid product of Pi-Z fluoropolyether (8.5 g, 85%). The product was identified by UV spectra. Other synthesis processes for preparing PiZ are also possible.

[0062] One example of the synthesis process for preparing Py-Z comprises the following general equation: 8

[0063] The process comprises dissolving Z-deal (10 g, 5 mmol), available from Austimont, in a hydrofluorocarbon “Vertel XF” (20 mL) available from DuPont. Then, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (1.44 g, 15 mmol) in methanol (10 mL) was added to the solution and the mixture was refluxed for 24 hours. The solution was poured into Vertel XF (100 mL) after it was cooled, and washed with a dilute HCl aqueous solution. A evaporation step followed by a supercritical fluid extraction purification step gave of a clear liquid product of Py-Z fluoropolyether (8 g, 80%). The product was identified by UV spectra. Other synthesis processes for preparing PyZ are also possible.

[0064] The present lubricant compounds, whether of formula (1), formula (2), or formula (3), preferably have an average molecular weight of between about 2,000 Daltons and about 6,000 Daltons. The lubricant composition may be unfractionated. Alternatively, the lubricant composition may be fractioned. For example, the lubricant composition may be fractionated to remove certain molecular weight lubricant compounds. Not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that removing low molecular weight lubricant compounds provides a lubricant composition with improved stiction and wear properties at a very low topcoat thickness. The lubricant composition may be prepared by fractionating starting materials of fluoropolyethers or the end-product may be fractionated. Fractionating can be achieved by distillation, solvent extraction, chromatography, e.g. (HPLC), or other molecular weight separation techniques.

[0065] The lubricant composition may be applied over magnetic media by any technique known in the art, such as dip, vapor, spray, solvent, solvent-free, vacuum, and non-vacuum processes. The lubricant composition may be applied as one layer or as multiple layers. To provide desirable lubricating properties, the lubricant composition is preferably applied to a thickness between about 10 angstroms and about 30 angstroms. Thicknesses of less than 10 angstroms and greater than 30 angstroms of the lubricant composition may also be used. In addition, after application, a post-treatment of the lubricant topcoat may be performed, such as a heat, IR, UV, plasma, gas treatment, or other treatment known in the art.

[0066] Not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the present lubricant compounds provide good lubrication properties, such as low stiction and friction properties while also being resistant to catalytic attack. The present lubricant compound incorporates the functional group of a catalytic blocking agent into the fluoropolyether chain. Therefore, it is believed that the present lubricant composition does not have phase separation problems of other lubricant mixture systems. In addition, since a separate catalytic blocking agent compound does not need to be provided in the lubricant system, the application process of the lubricant composition is simplified.

EXAMPLE

[0067] The following tests demonstrate the capabilities of the present invention and such examples are offered by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

Example 1

[0068] Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests were performed on samples comprising various lubricant systems. A first sample comprised a lubricant system of the mixture of Zdol with Irganox MD 1024 (available from Ciba-Geigy). A first comparative sample comprised a lubricant system of Zdol. Thermogravimetric analysis spectra showed that the first sample had a lower mass loss rate over temperature in comparison to the comparative sample. Not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the TGA spectra showed that the Irganox MD 1024 of the first sample is capable of inhibiting catalytic decomposition of Zdol. It is further believed that the carbonyl-β-imide functional group of the Irganox MD 1024 acts in blocking metal catalytic sites and incorporating this functional group into a fluoropolyether chain provides protection against catalytic attack.

Example 2

[0069] Potentiostatic corrosion tests were performed on samples comprising a substrate having a carbon overcoat with various lubricants formed thereover. A second sample comprised a substrate lubed with Pi-Z. A third sample comprised a substrate lubed with Pi-2Z. A second comparative sample comprised a substrate lubed with the mixture of Zdol and X1P. Each sample was immersed into a sodium chloride solution and was biased at a 900 mV potential for 10 minutes. The total amount of charge (“total corrosion charge”) passing through each system over this 10 minutes period of time was measured and calculated. The total corrosion charge of the second sample and the third sample was less than the total corrosion charge of the second comparative sample. Therefore, the second sample and the third sample showed better potentiostatic corrosion resistance than the second comparative sample. Not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the potentiostatic corrosion resistance data shows that the second sample and third sample is resistance to decomposition.

Example 3

[0070] Contact start-stop (CSS) tests were performed on samples comprising a disc having a carbon overcoat with various lubricants formed thereover. A fourth sample comprised a disc lubed with Pi-Z. A fifth sample comprised a disc lubed with Pi-2Z. A third comparative sample comprised a disc lubed with a mixture of Zdol and X1P.

[0071] Contact start-stop tests were performed in a conventional spin stand using 10,000 start/stop cycles in which the discs were spun to a speed of 7,200 rpm. Stiction and friction data were obtained at ambient temperature and ambient humidity. None of the samples “crashed.” The fourth sample and the fifth sample showed low stiction and low friction values similar to the low stiction and low friction valves of the comparative sample. Not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the CSS data shows that the fourth sample and the fifth sample provide good lubrication properties.

[0072] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A lubricant compound, comprising: a fluoropolyether chain; and one or more carbonyl-imide pairs

2. The lubricant compound of claim 1, wherein one carbonyl-imide pair is located at one end of the fluoropolyether chain.

3. The lubricant compound of claim 2, wherein another carbonyl-imide pair is located at the other end of the fluoropolyether chain.

4. The lubricant compound of claim 1, wherein at least one carbonyl-imide pair is located within the fluoropolyether chain.

5. The lubricant compound of claim 2, wherein at least one carbonyl-imide pairs is located within the fluoropolyether chain.

6. The lubricant compound of claim 1, wherein each carbonyl-imide pairs is represented by the formula selected from the group including: R1═N—(C—R2)—(C═O)—, wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and are selected from the group including an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, arlyalkyl, arlyalkenyl, amine, imine, aromatic, or hereto cyclic aromatic group; R3═N—(N—R4)—(C═O)—, wherein R3 and R4 are the same or different and are selected from the group including an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, arlyalkyl, arlyalkenyl, amine, imine, aromatic, or hereto cyclyc aromatic group; and —(C═O)—R5═N—R6—(C═O)—, wherein R5 and R6 are the same or different and are selected from the group including an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, arlyakyl, arlyakenyl, amine, imine, aromatic, or hereto cyclic aromatic group.

7. The lubricant compound of claim 6, wherein each carbonyl-imide pair is selected from the group including:

8. A method of manufacturing a magnetic storage medium, comprising: forming a magnetic layer over a substrate, and applying a lubricant topcoat over the magnetic layer, the lubricant topcoat comprising fluoropolyether having one or more carbonyl-imide pairs.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the fluoropolyether is fractionated prior to application over the magnetic layer.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the lubricant topcoat is post-treated after application over the magnetic layer.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the magnetic layer is formed over an underlayer formed over the substrate and wherein the lubricant topcoat is formed over a protective overcoat formed over the magnetic layer.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the fluoropolyether is prepared by reacting a fluoropolyether chain having one or more functionalized end-groups with a imine compound.

13. A magnetic storage medium, comprising: a substrate; a magnetic layer formed over the substrate; and a lubricant topcoat formed over the magnetic layer, the lubricant topcoat comprising fluoropolyether having one or more carbonyl-imide pairs.

14. The magnetic storage medium of claim 13, wherein the lubricant topcoat is formed to a thickness between about 10 angstroms and about 30 angstroms.

15. The magnetic storage medium of claim 13, wherein the average molecular weight of the fluoropolyeter is between about 2,000 and about 6,000 Daltons.

16. The magnetic storage medium of claim 13, further comprising: a underlayer formed over the substrate; the magnetic layer formed over the underlayer; a protective overcoat formed over the magnetic layer; and the lubricant topcoat formed over the protective overcoat.

17. A magnetic storage medium, comprising: a substrate; and a lubricant means for lubricating the surface of the magnetic storage medium and for blocking catalytic metal sites, the lubricant means formed over the substrate.

18. The magnetic storage medium of claim 17, wherein the lubricant means comprises a composition of a single class of compounds.

19. The magnetic storage medium of claim 17, wherein the lubricant means for lubricating the surface of the magnetic storage medium comprises a compound comprising a lubricant polymer backbone and a catalytic blocking functional group incorporated into the polymer backbone.

20. The magnetic storage medium of claim 17, wherein the lubricant means is in a single phase.