Controllable interface-tailored strategy to reduce the nanotribological properties of Ti₃C₂T_xby depositing MoS₂using...

Ti₃C₂T_xMXene has attracted widespread attention in lubrication owing to its unique structure and surface properties. However, the inferior nanotribological properties of Ti₃C₂T_xstill limit its applications in nano lubricants. Herein, we propose a controllable interface-tailored strategy to reduce the nanotribological properties of Ti₃C₂T_xby depositing MoS₂nano-sheet on its surface using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The nanotribological properties of the MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_xnanocomposites synthesized by ALD are studied by atomic force microscope for the first time. At the optimal 20 ALD MoS₂cycles, the nanofriction of MoS₂/Ti₃C₂T_xhas been reduced by 57%, 46%, and 44% (at 5, 10, and 15 nN load, respectively), while the adhesion has been reduced by 59%, compared to the original Ti₃C₂T_x. The results can contribute to understanding of the nanotribological mechanisms of Ti₃C₂T_xcomposites and provide the potential prospects for Ti₃C₂T_xas a nanoscale adjustable lubricant.