Preparation and Tribological Behaviors of Modified Rice Husk Carbon/MoS₂ Composite Particles as a Functional Additive in Polyethylene Glycol

Abstract

Rice husk carbon/molybdenum disulfide (RHC/MoS₂) nanoparticles were prepared by a chemical precipitation method in order to comprehensively utilize the rice husk. 3-Aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (ATS) was used as a surface modifier to promote the dispersion capability of RHC/MoS₂ particles in polyethylene glycol. The tribological behavior of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with different amount of modified particles was investigated using a ball-disk tribometer at the different velocities and loads. A three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning microscope (LSM) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to clarify the friction and wear mechanisms of modified composite particles in PEG. Results show that the modified RHC/MoS₂ has good friction characteristics and dispersion in PEG. Modified RHC/MoS₂ particles can effectively improve the wear resistance and friction reduction properties of PEG. The optimal additions of two kinds of particles are both 0.5 wt%. Friction and wear mechanism of composite particles were ascribed to the tribofilm that came from the components of composite particles.

Keywords:

• Friction modifiers
• solid lubricant additives
• boundary lubrication friction
• friction mechanisms

Acknowledgements

The authors express their thanks to Nana Zhou, Yongjie Shi, and Zhiqiang Tu for their assistance in using the SEM/EDS and HRTEM images.

Additional information

Funding

The financial support received from the National Nature Foundation of China (52075144), Anhui Province Natural Science Foundation of China (2008085ME167), and Anhui University Outstanding Young Talents Programs (gxyqZD2020051) is gratefully acknowledged. The Talent Research Fund of Hefei University (22-23RC33) and Graduate Innovation and entrepreneurship program (21YCXL37).