Significance of constructed MXene@Ag hybrids for enhancing the mechanical and tribological performance of epoxy composites

Herein, the hierarchical [email protected] hybrids were successfully prepared via an in-situ reduction. Moreover, the influences of [email protected] hybrids on thermal, mechanical, and tribological properties of epoxy resin (EP) were investigated systematically. Experimental results indicated that the thermal properties of EP/[email protected] composites were improved effectively. Meanwhile the tensile strength and elongation at break of EP/[email protected] composites were enhanced by 49.6% and 32.1%, respectively, compared to that of pure EP. Especially, the average wear rate and friction coefficient of EP/[email protected] composites decreased by 87.5% and 14.3% compared to that of pure EP, presenting the optimal tribological behavior. Moreover, the synergistic reinforcing effects of MXene and Ag NPs for EP matrix were discussed systematically.