Tetraphenylethylene / tea saponin derivative nanocomposites for tribofilm visualization and efficient lubrication

With advances in industry, more requirements are put forward to improve the performance and function of lubricating materials. Here, the eco-friendly tea saponin derivative (TSC14) modified with tetradecyl groups is exploited to encapsulate aggregation-induced emission nanoparticles (AIE NPs) of tetraphenylethylene (TPE) and deliver the TPE NPs to the friction interface . The functional TPE/TSC14 NPs composites exhibit efficient lubricating and anti-wear properties, forming a bright visual tribofilm on the sliding interface, which is highly prospect for engineering applications . Besides, this study provides a new approach to studying lubricating materials and introduces new prospects for applying AIE NPs in tribology .