2D materials for Tribo-corrosion and -oxidation protection: A review

The recent rise of 2D materials has extended the opportunities of tuning a variety of properties. Tribo-corrosion, the complex synergy between mechanical wear and chemical corrosion, poses significant challenges across numerous industries where materials are subjected to both tribological stressing and corrosive environments. This intricate interplay often leads to accelerated material degradation and failure. This review critically assesses the current state of utilizing 2D nanomaterials to enhance tribo-corrosion and -oxidation behavior. The paper summarizes the fundamental knowledge about tribo-corrosion and -oxidation mechanisms before assessing the key contributions of 2D materials, including graphene, transition metal chalcogenides, hexagonal boron nitride, MXenes, and black phosphorous, regarding the resulting friction and wear behavior. The protective roles of these nanomaterials against corrosion and oxidation are investigated, highlighting their potential in mitigating material degradation. Furthermore, we delve into the nuanced interplay between mechanical and corrosive factors in the specific application of 2D materials for tribo-corrosion and -oxidation protection. The synthesis of key findings underscores the advancements achieved through integrating 2D nanomaterials. An outlook for future research directions is provided, identifying unexplored avenues, and proposing strategies to propel the field forward. This analysis aims at guiding future investigations and developments at the dynamic intersection of 2D nanomaterials, tribo-corrosion, and -oxidation protection.