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The electrostatic effects in tribological systems have been studied in the past, especially with regards to data storage media. Nanoparticles (NP) of WS 2 and MoS 2 with fullerene-like structure (IF) have been studied in the past and showed very good tribological behavior. Being semiconductors, their electrical properties can be controlled by, e.g., substituting the lattice Mo (W) atoms with Re (n-type conductivity) and Nb (p-type conductivity) atoms. In this study doping of IF-MoS 2 , and to a lesser degree IF-WS 2 , NP with small amounts (\ 1 at.%) of rhenium atoms has been studied. For this purpose two new synthetic approaches have been pursued. The doped nanoparticles were characterized by various techniques. In particular, the doping density was determined by ICP-MS technique. The resistivity of the nanoparticles was shown to decrease significantly with increasing doping level. In contrast to the undoped nanoparticles, the doped NP were shown to exhibit reduced agglomeration and produce stable suspensions in PAO-4 and PAO-6 oils. Extensive tribological measurements with these PAO oils formulated with 1 wt % of the doped NP showed friction coefficients as low as 0.01 in mixed lubrication conditions and negligible wear. Microscopy analysis of the tribological surfaces reveal very smooth but discontinuous and dense film of the doped NP on the tribological surfaces. It is proposed that the doped NP are negatively charged at their surface eliciting mutual repulsion, which has a remarkable influence on their rheological properties and their tribological behavior.

Incorporation of solid lubricant into micro-reservoirs produced by Laser Surface Texturing (LST) and its effect on the tribological properties of surfaces under dry friction is studied. The density of the dimple reservoirs and the height of the bulges around them are investigated in terms of the longevity of solid lubricant films burnished on LST steel surfaces. Friction tests were performed using a ball-on-flat device. Optimum density (40–50%) of the dimples is revealed. It is shown that the adhesion of solid lubricant in the space between the dimples is provided by mechanical engagement of particles in the rough surface and by smearing the solid lubricant around the dimples. Best results are obtained with the surfaces that were lapped to half of the height of bulges. Long wear life of burnished film on LST steel surfaces is apparently provided by preservation of thin MoS2 film around the bulges and by supply of solid lubricant from the dimples to the surface. The effect of repeated burnishing on wear life of solid lubricant films was studied. Repeating burnishing leading to increasing the density of solid lubricant films increases the wear life.