Study on conductivity and tribological properties of polyaniline/molybdenum disulfide composites in lithium complex grease

Abstract Polyaniline/molybdenum disulfide (PANI/MoS 2 ) composites doped with hydrochloric acid were synthesised by in situ polymerisation and characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The tribological properties of PANI/MoS 2 as composite lithium grease additive were investigated by MFT‐R4000 current‐carrying friction and wear tester. SEM observed the surface morphologies of the wear scars, and energy dispersive spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysed the element distribution and chemical state. The results show that PANI/MoS 2 composites have better tribological and electrical properties than PANI and MoS 2 additives alone and in the same proportion. Therefore, it can be concluded that MoS 2 and synergism of polyaniline modifier.