Abstract

The present paper describes a facile synthesis method for nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) and the application of N-rGO as an effective additive for improving the tribological properties of base oil. N-rGO has been characterized by different characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. N-rGO-based nanolubricants are prepared and their tribological properties are studied using a four-ball tester. The nanolubricants show excellent stability over a period of six months and a significant decrease in coefficient of friction (25%) for small amounts of N-rGO (3 mg/L). The improvement in tribological properties can be attributed to the sliding mechanism of N-rGO accompanied by the high mechanical strength of graphene. Further, the nanolubricant is prepared at large scale (700 liter) and field trials are carried out at one NTPC thermal plant in India. The implementation of the nanolubricant in an induced draft (ID) fan results in the remarkable decrease in the power consumption.

Highlights

  • Advances in machine technology necessitate the reduction in energy loss by improving the tribological performance

  • Zhang et al studied the tribological properties of an oil lubricant with oleic acid-modified graphene and obtained 17% and 14% reduction in coefficient of friction (COF) and wear scar diameter (WSD), respectively [24]

  • The present work describes the synthesis of nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (N-rGO) and a nanolubricant prepared by dispersing different amounts of nanoparticles in base oil

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Advances in machine technology necessitate the reduction in energy loss by improving the tribological performance. Several studies have been carried to investigate the tribological performance of lubricant after the addition of solid particles. Lin et al studied the tribological properties of modified graphene platelets dispersed in oil and shows that the graphene platelets improved the wear resistance and load-carrying capacity of the machine after the modification [22].

Results
Conclusion

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 call

Disclaimer: 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.