Tribological performance of electrostatic self-assembly prepared ZrO2@GO nanocomposites using as lubricant additive

Designing and fabricating novel nanomaterials with good dispersion as lubricant additives through green and simple method has remarkably potential for reducing the industrial energy consumption and engineering material loss. This study introduced a electrostatic self-assembly method to prepare graphene-load ZrO2 nanocomposites (ZrO2@GO), and their dispersion characteristics and tribological performance were investigated using as lubricant additives in paraffin oils. ZETA potential, FTIR spectra, Raman spectra, XPS and TEM characterization confirmed ZrO2 nanoparticles had been anchored on the surface of GO nanosheets. With the introducing of polar functional groups and loading function of GO, the as-prepared ZrO2@GO nanocomposites indicated good dispersion stability in paraffin oil. Thus, compared with pure paraffin oil, friction coefficient and wear rate of ZrO2@GO added paraffin oil were reduced by 20.7% and 21.5% respectively. Optical microscope photograph, 3D morphology and rough results further presented ZrO2@GO exhibited good friction reduction and wear resistance performance than single ZrO2 or GO in paraffin oil. The possible tribological mechanisms were described by a tribological model that the ZrO2@GO nanocomposites could play a synergistic role of bearing frictional load of ZrO2 nanoparticles and forming transfer film of GO on the worn surface.