Scalable Fabrication of Modified Graphene Nanoplatelets as an Effective Additive for Engine Lubricant Oil

Abstract

The use of nano-additives is widely recognized as a cheap and effective pathway to improve the performance of lubrication by minimizing the energy loss from friction and wear, especially in diesel engines. In this work, a simple and scalable protocol was proposed to fabricate a graphene additive to improve the engine lubricant oil. Graphene nanoplates (GNPs) were obtained by a one-step chemical exfoliation of natural graphite and were successfully modified with a surfactant and an organic compound to obtain a modified GNP additive, that can be facilely dispersed in lubricant oil. The GNPs and modified GNP additive were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The prepared GNPs had wrinkled and crumpled structures with a diameter of 10–30 µm and a thickness of less than 15 nm. After modification, the GNP surfaces were uniformly covered with the organic compound. The addition of the modified GNP additive to the engine lubricant oil significantly enhanced the friction and antiwear performance. The highest reduction of 35% was determined for the wear scar diameter with a GNP additive concentration of approximately 0.05%. The mechanism for lubrication enhancement by graphene additives was also briefly discussed.

Characterisation of self‐repairing layer formed by oleic acid modified magnesium silicate hydroxide

“…During the running‐in period, the FC fluctuates slightly and the FC shows a downward trend, and it remains stable after about 2 hours. However, when the concentration of MSH reaches 1.5 wt%, FC increases and fluctuates sharply, which is mainly due to excessive MSH destroying the oil film, 26‐28 and part of the contact area becomes dry friction 29 …”

Recent Advances in Preparation and Testing Methods of Engine-Based Nanolubricants: A State-of-the-Art Review

“…Numerous approaches have been successfully employed to enhance engine efficiency. This includes the insertion of heating waste recovery systems, combustion efficiency refinement, and scaling down frictional losses in the engine [6][7][8][9][10]. Friction reduction has been receiving considerable interest from scientists, as a cost-effective method to empower engine efficiency.…”

Tribochemical Interactions between Graphene and ZDDP in Friction Tests for Uncoated and W-DLC-Coated HS6-5-2C Steel

“…Researchers all over the world are looking for ways to achieve this. One of the basic methods to handle this problem, especially in automotive and mechanical systems, is by applying lubricants [1]. Lubricants help reduce friction between two moving metal surfaces, but their effectiveness can be improved by properly selecting the additives [1,2].…”

“…Carbon nanomaterials have good lubricating properties, hence their common use as additives. Carbon-based nanomaterials include carbon nanotubes, fullerenes and graphene [1]. Nanotubes with their varied morphology can have different mechanical, electronic, chemical and magnetic properties [23].…”

“…Zhang et al [27] used graphene oxides altered with oleic acid to create graphene nanosheets; they obtained a lubricant suitable for antiwear applications. Azman et al [28], on the other hand, mixed graphene with PAO 10 synthetic oil (95 vol%) and palm oil based trimethylolpropane ester (15 vol% of TMP), which reduced the wear scar size by 15% [1].…”