Carbon solid lubricants: role of different dimensions

Over one-third of the worldwide energy production is estimated to be consumed by friction and wear. Delivering adequate lubrication between two contacting surfaces is one of the most efficient strategies to solve this issue. Over the past several decades, carbon materials have been regarded as promising lubricating materials due to their versatile structures, and superior mechanical, thermal, electrical, and chemical properties. This article provides a critical review on the lubricating performance of carbon materials with different dimensions ranging from zero (0D) to three dimensions (3D). Applications of these 0D to 3D carbon materials as lubricant coatings, additives in lubricants, and reinforcements in composites are reviewed. The mechanisms of the enhanced friction reduction and anti-wear performance based on the carbon-based lubricating materials are discussed. This review provides valuable guidelines on the selection and design of eco-friendly and nontoxic carbon-based lubricating systems.