Tribological performance of various metal-doped carbon dots as water-based lubricant additives and their potential application as additives of poly(ethylene glycol)

Abstract Advances in nano-lubricant additives are vital to the pursuit of energy efficiency and sustainable development. Carbon dots (CDs) have been widely investigated domain lubricant owing their extraordinary tribological properties, particular, friction-reducing anti-wear properties. Metal-doped CDs a new type CDs, properties attracting increasing attention. Therefore, series doped with various divalent metal ions successfully synthesized via one-pot pyrolysis. The as water-based following order: Zn-CDs > Cu-CDs ? Mg-CDs Fe-CDs U-CDs. Specifically, adding 1.0 wt% into results 62.5% friction 81.8% wear reduction. Meanwhile, load-carrying capacity increases from 120 N at least 500 N. an additive long service life. Additionally, anion-tuned fabricated anion exchange exhibit promise for poly(ethylene glycol). Based on scar surface analyses, it is discovered that tribochemical films, primarily composed iron oxides, nitrides, carbonates, zinc organic compounds, embedded carbon cores, formed rubbing surfaces thickness approximately 270 nm when used additives. This film combined “ball-bearing” third-particle effects contributed excellent lubrication performance.