Experimental investigation of MoS2/diesel oil nanofluid thermophysical and rheological properties

Abstract

Thermophysical and tribological properties of traditional lubricant has important role in proper performance of industrial equipment and transportation vehicles. Diesel oil is wide used lubricant with very limited studies on its properties and this study aimed to evaluate the tribological and thermo-physical properties of diesel oil containing molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were dispersed at 0.1, 0.4 and 0.7 wt% in each pure diesel oil. To assess the friction and wear properties of MoS2 nano-lubricant, pin-on-disc friction and wear tester were used. In this study, it was proved that mixing MoS2 nanoparticles in diesel oil increases nanofluids viscosity, viscosity index; the highest viscosity and viscosity index were found at 0.7 wt%. The findings also showed that the additives involved no significant anti-friction and anti-wear properties effect at different concentrations compared to the pure diesel oil. Furthermore, the MoS2 nanoparticles in diesel oil could not significantly alter the friction factor values in comparison with pure oil. The experimental results indicated that the addition of MoS2 nanoparticles to diesel oil had no significant effects on anti-wear properties and also concentration impact on the tribological performance of lubricant is negligible.