Recent achievements in the synthesis and application of inorganic nanoparticles as lubricant components

Abstract

AbstractRecent advances made in the chemistry and technology of nano‐metric inorganic particles allow the synthesis of various metal oxides, chalcogenides, phosphates, and so on. Surface modification of nanoparticles in some cases allows the formation of stable dispersions in liquid hydrocarbons. The state of the art in the field of inorganic nanoparticle synthesis and their application in tribology are discussed in this paper. Special attention is paid to the synthesis of surface‐capped and bare molybdenum sulphide nanoparticles and to the testing thereof as friction‐modifying additives for liquid lubricants. Differences in the mechanism of action of MoSx nanoparticles and molecular molybdenum complexes (e.g., molybdenum dithiocarbamate) are discussed. Future trends in the use of inorganic nanoparticles as lubricant additives are suggested.