Synergistic Tribological Effects of Ti3C2Tx MXene and ZDDP under Simple Grafting Strategies for Efficient Lubrication

MXenes, a novel class of two-dimensional materials, possess exceptional physical and chemical properties, positioning them as promising candidates for lubricant additives. However, their potential is constrained by challenges in dispersion and stability, coupled with a paucity of research on interactions with additives in full-formula oils. In this study, hexadecylphosphonic acid (HDPA) is grafted onto Ti₃C₂T_x to formulate a polyalkylene glycol dispersion system. The findings reveal that the HDPA-modified Ti₃C₂T_x (HDPA-Ti₃C₂) is successfully synthesized, demonstrating superior dispersion stability and notable friction-reduction and antiwear properties. Notably, when combined with zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP), the HDPA-Ti₃C₂/ZDDP composite additive outperforms single additives in tribological performance, suggesting synergistic effects between them. This enhanced performance may be attributed to the formation of an amorphous polyphosphate tribofilm offering wear resistance, followed by the generation of a TiO₂ tribofilm that further safeguards and repairs the worn surface, thereby enhancing the load-bearing capacity. Concurrently, the interlayer sliding mechanism of nanosheets, which substitutes the relative motion of the friction pair, reduces friction under boundary lubrication, ensuring prolonged effective lubrication. This work broadens the application prospects of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene for the design and development of commercial lubricating additives.