Abstract
• The WS-CN lubricants were not only environmentally friendly during use, but also in the synthetic process. • On the premise of enough stability, mass production of WS-CN lubricants can be simply achieved. • In comparison to DI water, IL@WS-CN dispersion reduced the wear of neat EP by one order of magnitude. • Numerous CN nanograins distributed in the amorphous tribofilm enhanced the load-carrying capability and robustness. Development of high-performance water lubricants in replacement of conventional oil lubricants is of great significance for protecting our environment and ecology. Water-soluble graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) materials (WS-CN) were synthesized in situ by a one-pot green hydrothermal method in deionized (DI) water. For the first time, roles of as-synthesized WS-CN and ionic liquid (IL) grafted WS-CN (IL@WS-CN) as water lubricants on lubrication performance were investigated. Our results demonstrated that even rather small amount of WS-CN, e.g. 0.5 wt%, played an excellent lubrication effect. More interestingly, a striking synergy between IL and WS-CN on friction and wear-reduction was identified. In comparison to lubricating with DI water, IL@WS-CN dispersion reduced the wear by one order of magnitude and decreased the friction by up to 71%. Nanostructures of the friction interface were explored for shedding light on lubrication mechanisms. It was disclosed that WS-CN precipitating at the friction interface improved the load-carrying capability, and particularly triggered growth of a robust tribofilm, greatly improving the boundary lubrication effect. WS-CN opens up a new opportunity for developing mass-producible, low-costing and sufficient-stable water lubricants.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
