Stimuli-responsive PAO10@PSF/Fe3O4 microcapsules for regulation of tribological properties

Magnetic PAO10@PSF/Fe 3 O 4 microcapsules (MMCs), loaded with PAO10, were prepared by solvent evaporation method using PFOTES/Fe 3 O 4 particles stabilized oil-in-water emulsion as template, and embedded into epoxy (EP) to prepare self-lubricating composites. Further, the tribological properties of the MMCs were analyzed, and the wear mechanism were discussed in detail. When the content of microcapsules was 20 wt%, compared with pure epoxy resin, the friction coefficient (COF) and wear rate of epoxy/magnetic microcapsule composites (EP/MMCs) decreased by 91.2 % and 92.9 %, respectively, primarily attributed to the formation of lubricating oil film during friction, and the internal lubricating oil and the Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles on the shell were formed a coordinated solid-liquid lubrication effect. During the preparation of EP/MMCs, MMCs could respond to the external magnetic field, the distribution of the microcapsules in the composites could be controlled by the magnetic field, thereby affecting the tribological properties of the composites at different positions. In addition, the composite material had light stimulation response performance. Under the irradiation of near-infrared (NIR) light, the friction coefficient of EP/MMCs decreased rapidly and responded quickly. This study provides a high-performance friction material, which is expected to regulate the tribological properties of the material according to external stimuli to achieve intelligent lubrication.