The strong mechanical anchoring of ZIF-8 nanoparticles on graphene oxide surface to enhance frictional energy dissipation

Abstract

The porous structure and flexible crystal deformation ability of ZIF-8 provide ideas for the preparation of new inorganic nano-lubrication additives. Herein, the polydopamine (PDA) armor was coated on ZIF-8 surface to prevent its decomposition in water. The abundant active groups on the ZIF-8 @PDA surface promoted its strong mechanical anchoring on the surface of graphene oxide (GO) and improved the dispersion stability of nano-components in pure water. The nanoparticles and GO fragments released under mechanical and thermal action repair the broken tribofilms, and the flexible deformation of ZIF-8 nanocrystals in friction interface leads to the dispersion of frictional energy, resulting in the greatly reduction of friction coefficient and wear scar width of engineering steel surface (reduced by 82% and 83%).