Tribofilm Formation by Fe3O4 Nanoparticles as Lubricant Additives: Microscopic Insights into Growth Conditions and Mechanisms

IF 2.9 3区工程技术 Q2 ENGINEERING, CHEMICAL

Tribology Letters Pub Date : 2025-03-26 DOI:10.1007/s11249-025-01988-z

Longji Guo, Yanan Yin, Lina Gao, Hao Lin, Yuzhen Liu, Kai Le, Xu Zhao, Xu Chen, Shusheng Xu

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Abstract

Current research concerning Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) as lubricant additives primarily focuses on the macroscale tribological performance, with insufficient exploration of anti-wear mechanisms at the microscopic scale. In this study, the formation and growth behavior of Fe₃O₄-based tribofilms was investigated. Oleic acid-modified Fe₃O₄ NPs dispersed in a polyalphaolefin base oil were tested between ZrO₂ balls and GCr15 steel substrates utilizing a reciprocating micro-tribometer. The morphology, microstructure, and chemical composition of tribofilms were meticulously characterized. Results revealed that the tribofilm primarily consisted of cubic Fe₃O₄ nanocrystals, consistent with initial particles. The organic modification layers of NPs were removed, facilitating direct inter-particle bonding. Growth mechanisms of tribofilms involving tribosintering of Fe₃O₄ NPs and shear-induced removal were proposed, demonstrating strong dependence on sliding cycles and contact pressure. Under an initial contact pressure of 1.15 GPa, the volume of the tribofilm increased with the number of sliding cycles, eventually reaching a state of saturation. While stress-dependent growth was observed, excessive stress led to wear on the substrate.

Graphical Abstract

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来源期刊

Tribology Letters 工程技术-工程：化工

CiteScore

5.30

自引率

9.40%

发文量

116

审稿时长

2.5 months

期刊介绍： Tribology Letters is devoted to the development of the science of tribology and its applications, particularly focusing on publishing high-quality papers at the forefront of tribological science and that address the fundamentals of friction, lubrication, wear, or adhesion. The journal facilitates communication and exchange of seminal ideas among thousands of practitioners who are engaged worldwide in the pursuit of tribology-based science and technology.