Enhancing Cuo nanolubricant performance using dispersing agents

This paper reports on the use of organic dispersing agents to prevent the agglomeration of tiny CuO nanoparticles in synthetic oil, by developing low concentrations of nanolubricants with good stability. Tiny nanoparticles were added to polyalphaolefin (PAO) oil with the aid of three organic dispersing agents (toluene, hexane and ethylene glycol) at a low concentration of 0.1 wt%. The tribological performance of nanolubricants was evaluated under boundary lubrication conditions. The dispersion results showed more uniform nanoparticle distribution in oil when toluene was used as a dispersing agent. Furthermore, this dispersant provided a substantial decrease in the coefficient of friction and lower wear losses in tribological tests. Good dispersion results in a lower friction coefficient and less wear. •Tiny CuO nanoparticles were added to PAO oil using two techniques to disperse it.•The friction and wear are proportional to the poor dispersion of nanoparticles in oil.•The better tribological performance was found to the Toluene use as dispersant.•The stability of nanoparticles in suspensions governs the nanolubrication mechanisms.