Preparation and tribological properties of potassium titanate-Ti3C2Tx nanocomposites as additives in base oil

Abstract A potassium titanate-Ti3C2Tx nanocomposite was synthesized using a facile, low-temperature and environmentally friendly process. The morphology and microstructure of the as-prepared samples were analyzed by means of XRD, SEM, TEM, and XPS. The tribological property of the nanocomposite as additive in base oil was evaluated. The results reveal that the in-situ formed potassium titanate nanowires with average diameter of 30 nm and the uniform distribution on the surface of Ti3C2Tx nanosheets. Compare to Ti3C2Tx nanosheets, the average friction coefficient and wear scar width of the oil containing potassium titanate-Ti3C2Tx nanocomposites are decreased by 4.9% and 22% under the same conditions. The excellent tribological performance is attributed to the synergic effects of the two components in the nanocomposite structure.