Mono-dispersed AuNPs decorated enlarged halloysite nanotubes to encapsulate [HMIm][NTf2] microcapsules for improving the wear resistance of composites

In this study, a microcapsule, with gold nanoparticles dispersed on enlarged halloysite nanotube (HNTs) was prepared for encapsulating ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluormethylsulfonyl)imide ([HMIm][NTf2]). The thermal conductivity and mechanical properties of the PBO/PTFE fabric/phenolic resin composite liner improved after incorporating [HMIm][NTf2]@HNTs/Au microcapsules. Pin-on-disk wear tests (55 MPa and 0.8 m/s for 120 min) demonstrated that the wear rate decreased from 9.4×10-15 m3 /(N⋅m) to 3.9×10-15 m3 /(N⋅m) when the filler content up to 2.0 wt. % was added to a pure composites. This was attributed to a 40 nm adaptive tribofilm constructed on the counterpart surface due to filler.