Synthesis and Tribological Properties of TiSe<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticles

Abstract

TiSe2 nanobelts/nanoplates have been successfully fabricated through a facile and environment-friendly pressureless sintered process using micro-sized Ti and Se elements as raw materials. The morphology and structure of the as-prepared TiSe2 products were investigated by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The experimental results indicated that the morphology of TiSe2 products were strongly dependent on the reaction temperature and reaction time. As the reaction temperature was set at 600°C and 800°C, long belts-like and plates-like structures of as-prepared TiSe2 products could be observed, respectively. However, a mixture of nanobelts and nanoplates could be obtained at a reaction temperature of 700°C. It was also found that the reaction time played a crucial role in obtaining the homogeneous distribution nanoparticles, therefore, reasonable reaction process and formation mechanisms of as-prepared TiSe2 nanoparticles were proposed. Moreover, the tribological properties of the TiSe2 nanobelts/nanoplates were investigated. The test results showed that the addition of TiSe2 nanoparticles could improve the tribological properties of base oil. Furthermore, the friction coefficient of base oil containing TiSe2 nanoplates was lower and more stable than those of TiSe2 nanobelts and pure base oil.