Potential of Graphene Doping Towards Superlubric Performance of Additively Manufactured Structures

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Tribology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Friction in polymers leads to significant energy loss and material wear.
• Achieving superlubricity in polymer-based materials remains a key challenge.
• Graphene's unique properties offer potential for friction reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the tribological performance of additively manufactured graphene-doped polymers.
• To evaluate the combined effects of graphene doping and surface topography on friction.
• To explore the potential for achieving superlubricity in polymer nanocomposites.

Main Methods:

• Additive manufacturing of graphene-doped and plain polymer samples.
• Spectroscopic, mechanical, and microstructural characterization.
• Tribometric measurements using ball-on-disk and custom setups.

Main Results:

• Friction coefficients reduced by up to 70% in graphene-doped samples compared to plain ones.
• Absolute friction coefficients reached values as low as 0.09.
• Graphene's 2D structure and surface patterning synergistically enhance tribological properties.

Conclusions:

• Graphene doping is a highly effective strategy for improving polymer tribology.
• Additively manufactured graphene-polymer nanocomposites show promise for near-superlubric behavior.
• This advancement can lead to reduced energy waste and promote sustainable engineering solutions.