Graphene oxide/brush-like polysaccharide copolymer nanohybrids as eco-friendly additives for water-based lubrication

In this work, a novel hybrid additive for water-based lubrication combining graphene oxide (GO) and brush-like chitosan-based copolymer (chitosan-graft-poly (N-isopropylacrylamide), Chitosan-g-PNIPAM) was developed. The GO/Chitosan-g-PNIPAM nanohybrids were fabricated by a facile in-situ non-covalent assembly strategy. The tribological performance of nanohybrids with different mass ratios of GO and copolymer was investigated. The results demonstrated superior friction-reducing and anti-wear properties at high contact load condition. It could reduce the mean coefficient of friction (COF) by 40% compared with pristine GO and by 84% compared with individual copolymer. Meanwhile, the wear rate was also decreased by 15% and 47%, respectively. Furthermore, this work provides a novel approach to develop green nanoadditives for water-based lubrication through rational combination of 2D materials and brush-like copolymer.

Automated summary

The study developed a novel water-based lubricant combining graphene oxide and chitosan-based copolymer, showing superior friction-reducing and anti-wear properties under high contact load conditions. The lubricant significantly reduced the coefficient of friction and wear rate, providing a green nanoadditive approach through the rational combination of 2D materials and brush-like copolymer.