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Constructing a novel and high-performance liquid nanoparticle additive from a Ga-based liquid metal
1State Key Laboratory of Solid Lubrication, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China. jyang@licp.cas.cn chengjun@licp.cas.cn.
Nanoscale
|April 21, 2020
Summary
Researchers developed novel liquid nano-additives from gallium-based liquid metals for lubricating oils. These additives significantly reduce friction and wear, offering advantages over traditional solid nanoparticles.
Area of Science:
- Tribology and Engineering
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- High-performance nanoparticle additives are crucial for lubricating oils in tribology.
- Gallium-based liquid metals (GLMs) show promise for extreme-pressure and high-temperature lubrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and investigate a novel liquid nano-additive for lubricating oil using GLMs.
- To evaluate the tribological performance and characteristics of these liquid nano-additives.
Main Methods:
- Liquid nanoparticles (GLM-NP/C12) were synthesized from GLM droplets via ultrasonication and modified with 1-dodecanethiol.
- The nanoparticles exhibited a core-shell structure with GLM core and gallium oxide/alkylthiolate shell.
- Tribological tests were conducted using PAO10 oil with varying concentrations of the GLM-NP/C12 additive.
Main Results:
- GLM-NP/C12 demonstrated excellent dispersion stability in PAO10 oil.
- At 0.17 wt% concentration, the additive reduced friction coefficient by 39% and wear rate by 93% compared to neat PAO10.
- Liquid nano-additives showed superior performance at lower concentrations than solid nanoparticles.
Conclusions:
- The novel liquid nano-additives offer easy preparation, composition tunability, and recyclability.
- These liquid nanoparticles provide effective anti-adhesion, friction reduction, and wear resistance.
- The findings suggest a new design strategy for nano-additives in lubricating oils, highlighting differences from solid counterparts.
