Glycolic Acid Ethoxylate Oleyl Ether Hydrogel Reinforced by 2D Layered Metal Carbide: A Potential Lubricant

This study investigates the rheological and tribological properties of H₂O/glycolic acid ethoxylate oleyl ether (H₂O/Oleth10) and 2D layered metal carbide aqueous/Oleth10 (MXene/Oleth10) hydrogels for lubrication applications. Notably, this work reports the first MXene-reinforced Oleth10 hydrogel, demonstrating how nanomaterial-surfactant synergy enables adaptive lubrication with 200% rheological enhancement and 35% friction reduction. Both hydrogels were characterized as non-Newtonian fluids with grease-like semisolid behavior, governed by hydrogen bonding and weak physical interactions. Tribological testing revealed that MXene aqueous/Oleth10 (3:1) exhibits superior wear resistance, leveraging MXene's tribofilm-forming ability to balance friction and material protection and can reduce wear volume by 65% compared to neat Oleth10, despite higher friction coefficients. Surface morphology characterization and analysis attributed this improvement to MXene deposition in wear tracks, enhancing self-healing and antiwear performance. These findings highlight the potential of MXene aqueous/Oleth10 hydrogel as an advanced lubricant material.