Eco-Friendly Trinickel Disulfide Nanoparticles Advancing Poly-α-olefin Lubrication

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Tribology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Friction and wear are critical issues in industrial applications, often exacerbated by lubricant thermal degradation.
• Traditional lubricants face limitations at high temperatures, necessitating advanced additive solutions.
• Trinickel disulfide (Ni3S2) nanoparticles show promise due to thermal stability and tribological properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize oleylamine-modified magnetic Ni3S2 nanoparticles (OA-Ni3S2 NPs) under mild, environmentally friendly conditions.
• To evaluate the tribological performance of OA-Ni3S2 NPs as lubricant additives in poly-α-olefin-6 (PAO6) base oil.
• To investigate the mechanism behind the friction-reducing and antiwear properties of these nanoparticles.

Main Methods:

• Liquid-phase synthesis of oleylamine-modified Ni3S2 nanoparticles under mild conditions.
• Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for particle size characterization (average ∼40 nm).
• Four-ball tribometer tests to assess friction and wear performance in PAO6 base oil.

Main Results:

• OA-Ni3S2 NPs demonstrated significant reductions in coefficient of friction (COF) by 31% and wear scar diameter (WSD) by 40% compared to pristine PAO6.
• The magnetic properties of Ni3S2 nanoparticles facilitate the formation of a protective film on metal surfaces.
• Mechanistic studies provided insights into nanoparticle behavior at the friction interface.

Conclusions:

• Synthesized OA-Ni3S2 NPs offer a sustainable and effective solution for reducing friction and wear in lubricants.
• These nanoparticles exhibit excellent performance, particularly under high-temperature conditions.
• The findings support the potential application of OA-Ni3S2 NPs in demanding industrial lubrication scenarios.