Synergetic lubrication between MoDTC and TiO2 nano-additive: Dynamic evolution of tribofilm induced by tribocatalysis and tribomechanical effect

Molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC) can significantly reduce friction and wear through the formation of lubricious tribofilm by decomposition of MoDTC, but it is difficult to regulate the tribochemical behaviors. In this study, TiO 2 nanoparticles was used as nano-additive combined with MoDTC, leading to reduced friction and wear under 50   N. The addition of TiO 2 with proper concentration can promote the formation of lubricious Mo-content tribofilm. Meanwhile, TiO 2 in tribofilm also lead to enhanced wear-resistance. Moreover, the dynamic evolution of the tribofilm is also investigated under varied conditions to elucidate the synergetic lubrication mechanisms between MoDTC and TiO 2 . These findings offer fundamental understandings of the lubrication mechanisms of MoDTC when combined with nano-additives from both tribochemical and tribomechanical viewpoints.