The unique structure and ultralow interlayer shear strength
give
molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) materials a broad prospect
for energy savings, economic benefits, and extended operating life
of lubrication systems. Herein, we prepared an effective integration
strategy to prepare novel small-sized and chemically grafted MoS2 to solve the problems of poor dispersibility and easy agglomeration
of MoS2. The MoS2 powder was stripped and oxidized
to generate active centers using acid oxidation and high-speed ultrasonic
crushing to obtain two different types of alkylamine chemically, covalently
grafted, oxidized MoS2 nanosheets as lubricant additives
to achieve friction reduction and antiwear. The chemical changes and
structural characteristics of different types of alkylamine molecules
upon covalent interaction with oxidized MoS2 were investigated
in detail by FTIR, XPS, TGA, XRD, and TEM analyses. The results showed
that the alkylamine-grafted MoS2 oxide nanosheets had good
dispersion in 15# industrial white oil, and friction experiments confirmed
that the alkylamine-grafted MoS2 oxide (MoS2–O-OLA) nanosheets exhibited better friction and wear resistance
such that, compared with pure 15# industrial white oil, the 0.02 wt
% MoS2–O-OLA nanosheets could significantly reduce
friction (36.2%) and wear (22.4%). The field-emission scanning electron
microscopy (FESEM) and EDS analyses of the wear surface showed that
MoS2–O-OLA nanosheets play an important role in
improving tribological properties by generating interlayer slippage
at the steel ball contact interface, thereby forming surface protection
and a uniform oil film.