Unlocking the synergistic impact of laser texturing and Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene coatings – Substrate-specific tribological insights

Abstract

Reducing energy consumption and CO<inf>2</inf> emissions in industrial processes is vital, with advanced lubricants offering a promising path forward. Solid lubricants based on 2D materials, such as MXenes, show potential, particularly in vacuum or high-temperature conditions, though frequent replenishment limits practical application. This study explores a novel approach, combining Ti<inf>3</inf>C<inf>2</inf>T<inf>x</inf> MXenes with laser texturing to address this limitation on steel (AISI 304) and TiAl6V4 substrates. We first created line- and cross-textures via laser texturing with 6 and 15 μm periodicities. Airbrush-sprayed MXene coatings were characterized using focused ion beam microscopy to assess coating thickness. Friction and wear performance of the textured and coated samples were tested using ball-on-disk tribometry, while wear tracks were analysed with energy-dispersive X-ray, Electron Energy Loss Spectrometry) and Raman spectroscopy. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy provided insights into the microstructure and integrity of MXene flakes on different substrates. Importantly, our findings reveal unique behaviours of Ti<inf>3</inf>C<inf>2</inf>T<inf>x</inf> MXenes on TiAl6V4, highlighting demixing effects warranting further study. This combined MXene-laser approach has significant implications for durable, high-performance solid lubrication.