Ti3C2Tx quantum dots as high-performance additive in lubrication application

The research on Ti3C2Tx as a liquid lubricating additive is still in its infancy, and some problems exist, such as ambiguous relationship between Ti3C2Tx structure and lubricating performance. Herein, Ti3C2Tx was adjusted to improve its tribological properties in polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG200). Hydrothermal method was employed to prepare spherical Ti3C2Tx quantum dots (MQDs), with size of approximately 6 nm. The additive of MQDs significantly improved the tribological properties of pure PEG200, where the average friction coefficient was reduced by 20.0 % and the wear volume was reduced by 69.1 %. MQDs can provide a rolling effect to reduce the friction and repair the worn interfaces by forming an adsorption film through electrostatic adsorption, thereby effectively improving the tribological behaviors of sliding interfaces. [Display omitted] •Spherical Ti3C2Tx quantum dots (MQDs) with particle size of 6 nm were successfully prepared by hydrothermal method.•The optimum addition amount of 0.3 % MQDs into PEG200 can reduce the friction coefficient and wear volumes by 20.0 % and 69.1 %, respectively.•Lubricating mechanisms of MQDs was derived from the synergistic lubrication of Ti3C2Tx, oil-film, and tribo-film.