3D-Printed Topological MoS₂/MoSe₂ Heterostructures for Macroscale Superlubricity

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Tribology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Macroscopic superlubricity remains challenging due to material and operating condition limitations.
• Bioinspired designs offer a promising avenue for achieving ultralow friction and wear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop 3D-printed MoS2/MoSe2 heterostructures with bioinspired topologies for macroscopic superlubricity.
• To investigate the tribological performance of these novel materials under varying loads.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of 3D-printed MoS2/MoSe2 heterostructures with circular-cored square/hexagonal honeycomb topologies.
• Tribological testing of fabricated structures and comparison with Al2O3.
• Analysis of friction coefficient and wear rate under different load conditions (5 N and 10 N).

Main Results:

• All topological structures showed over a 30% decrease in friction coefficient compared to Al2O3.
• The circular-cored hexagonal honeycomb composite achieved a stable ultralow friction coefficient of 0.09 at 5 N.
• An ultralow friction coefficient of 0.08 was maintained for 370 s even at 10 N, with a low wear rate of 2.5 × 10^-5 mm³·N⁻¹·m⁻¹.

Conclusions:

• 3D-printed MoS2/MoSe2 heterostructures with bioinspired designs enable macroscopic superlubricity.
• The observed ultralow friction is attributed to factors like small contact area, efficient lubrication, and self-orientation.
• This research provides a foundation for developing efficient lubrication devices for industrial applications.