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Functionalization of Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes with Thermo-reversible Block Copolymers and Characterization by Small-angle Neutron Scattering
Published on: June 1, 2016
Surface functionalization of WS2 fullerene-like nanoparticles.
Chen Shahar1, David Zbaida, Lev Rapoport
1Department of Materials and Interfaces, Weizmann Institute, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|December 8, 2009
Summary
Surface modification of inorganic fullerene-like tungsten disulfide (IF-WS(2)) nanoparticles with alkyl-silanes improves their dispersion and tribological properties in lubricants. This chemical treatment reduces nanoparticle agglomeration, enhancing long-term performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Tribology
Background:
- Tungsten disulfide (WS(2)) forms inorganic nanotubes (INT) and fullerene-like (IF) nanoparticles.
- IF nanoparticles are explored as solid lubricants due to their layered structure, but agglomeration hinders performance.
- Surface defects from strain and curvature in IF nanoparticles are linked to agglomeration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To chemically modify the surface of IF-WS(2) nanoparticles.
- To improve the dispersion and tribological properties of IF-WS(2) nanoparticles in oil-based suspensions.
- To mitigate the agglomeration issue of IF-WS(2) nanoparticles.
Main Methods:
- Chemical modification of IF-WS(2) nanoparticle surfaces using alkyl-silane molecules.
- Preparation of oil-based suspensions containing surface-modified IF-WS(2) nanoparticles.
- Evaluation of nanoparticle dispersion and tribological behavior.
Main Results:
- Surface-modified IF-WS(2) nanoparticles exhibited improved dispersion in oil-based suspensions.
- Alkyl-silane coating effectively reduced the tendency of IF-WS(2) nanoparticles to agglomerate.
- The treated nanoparticles led to enhanced long-term tribological performance of the formulated oil.
Conclusions:
- Chemical surface modification is a viable strategy to overcome the agglomeration of IF-WS(2) nanoparticles.
- Alkyl-silane functionalization enhances the dispersibility and lubricating properties of WS(2) nanoparticles.
- This approach offers a pathway to improve the efficacy of WS(2) nanoparticles as lubricant additives.
