Improved tribological behavior of lubricating oil dispersed with hybrid nanoparticles of functionalized carbon spheres and graphene nano platelets

A novel synthesis method of Functionalized Carbon Spheres (FCS) coated with Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) using a simple sonication technique is reported. The FCS/GNP hybrid nanoparticles were found to be effectively improving the tribological characteristics of lubricating oils. For the synthesis of FCS, Carbon Spheres (CS) synthesized via non-catalytic chemical vapor deposition was functionalized using nitric acid. The hybrid nanoparticles were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Raman spectroscopy. The tribological behavior of CASTROL-20 W 40 engine oil dispersed with different concentrations of FCS and GNP using ultrasonication was investigated using a four-ball tester. The tribological behavior of FCS and GNP were investigated separately to compare the tribological performance of the FCS/GNP hybrid nanoparticles. The neat oil dispersed with 0.275 wt% of FCS/GNP hybrid nanoparticles in 10:1 ratio shows excellent dispersion and stability for 30 days without the addition of any surfactant. The results indicate that the addition of these hybrid nanoparticles causes a remarkable reduction (similar to 18%) in the Coefficient of Friction (COF) of the neat oil. The optical image of wear scar on the ball immersed in neat oil shows a significant reduction in the Wear Scar Diameter from 425.6 mu m to 390.0 mu m with the addition of hybrid nanoparticles. The Raman mapping of the wear scar on chromium steel ball reveals that the FCS/GNP hybrid nanoparticles remain unseparated after the tribology test.

Automated summary

A novel synthesis method of Functionalized Carbon Spheres coated with Graphene nanoplatelets using sonication technique was reported. The hybrid nanoparticles effectively improved the tribological characteristics of lubricating oils, showing a remarkable reduction in the Coefficient of Friction. The addition of hybrid nanoparticles led to excellent dispersion and stability without the use of surfactants.