Design and Tribological Characterization of Polyethylene Glycol Composites with Carbonized Bamboo Powder and Molybdenum Disulfide Hybrid Fillers

CBP/MoS 2 hybrid filler-reinforced polyethylene glycol (PEG) composites were synthesized via a hydrothermal method in an aqueous PEG solution. These composites demonstrated excellent dispersibility and stability in PEG for tribological evaluation. Test results revealed that lubricants incorporating 2.0 wt.% of the composite material reduced the wear scar diameter (WSD) and coefficient of friction (COF) of steel balls by 48.7% and 41.7%, respectively. This significant enhancement in tribological performance is attributed to a synergistic interaction among PEG, carbon from carbonized bamboo powder (CBP), and MoS 2 . The present study offers a viable strategy for designing high-performance and environmentally sustainable lubricants, while also laying a groundwork for the development of nanoparticle-enhanced water-based lubricating systems.