Enhanced tribological and conductive properties of supramolecular gels via CuS@MXene nanohybrids

Modern mechanical transmission components face the multiple challenges of friction, wear, and electrical corrosion. To address these issues, the development of multifunctional additives that integrate superior tribological performance with high electrical conductivity has emerged as a critical strategy. In this study, CuS@MXene nanohybrids possessing both excellent tribological and conductive characteristics were designed and synthesized as multifunctional additives for supramolecular gels. The in-situ uniform loading of CuS nanoparticles onto the Mo 2 C MXene surface was achieved via molten salt etching and electrostatic adsorption strategies. Its tribological performance and lubrication mechanisms as a lubricant additives in supramolecular gels were investigated using a reciprocating friction and wear tester, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Focused Ion Beam-Transmission Electron Microscopy. Tribological evaluations revealed that, compared to the pure gel, the gel containing 2.0 wt% CuS@MXene reduced the average coefficient of friction by 56.1% and the wear volume by 83.9%, while enhancing the load-carrying capacity by two times. The lubrication mechanism of CuS@MXene is attributed to the formation of a “hard-soft” synergistic composite tribofilm at the sliding interface; this film leverages the complementary advantages of its components to deliver exceptional lubrication performance. Furthermore, the nanohybrids significantly enhanced the electrical conductivity of the gel, thereby reducing the electrical resistance of the tribofilm. This work provides a novel strategy for developing multifunctional additives with robust lubricating and conductive capabilities to mitigate friction and electrical corrosion in mechanical components.