Tribological studies of rhenium doped fullerene-like MoS2 nanoparticles in boundary, mixed and elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication conditions

The tribological properties of rhenium-doped inorganic fullerene-like MoS2 nanoparticles were studied in poly alpha olefin oil, and compared to inorganic fullerene-like (IF) MS2 (M=Mo,W) nanoparticles and 2H-MoS2 platelets. For this purpose a rotational disc tribometer was used. Different regimes in the Stribeck curve, i.e., boundary, mixed and elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication conditions were studied. A precipitous reduction in friction and wear of oil suspensions with nanoparticles were observed for the entire IF samples. However, Re-doped IF exhibited the best results, presumably due to their reduced tribocharging and agglomeration. The various tribological mechanisms of solid state additives are discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.