Ti₃C₂Tx MXene modified alkyl imidazolium ionic liquid-stearic acid composite materials as a potential lubricant for steel/steel contact

Abstract

This study proposes a simplified method for preparing a novel BMImPF₆-stearic acid-Ti₃C₂Tₓ ternary composite lubricant through heating, ultrasonication, and three-roll milling. Rheological tests indicate that the resulting composite lubricant exhibits typical non-Newtonian fluid behavior. Friction and wear tests reveal that the BMImPF₆-stearic acid composite lubricant with 0.3 wt.-% MXene exhibits the best tribological performance, with a friction coefficient of approximately 0.06 and a wear rate as low as 1.32 × 10⁻⁹ mm³/Nm, highlighting its potential as a lubricant for steel/steel contact. The study demonstrates that the endothermic phase change properties of stearic acid regulate the temperature at the friction interface, while BMImPF₆ ensures the formation of an effective tribochemical film, and MXene provides additional repair protection.