Improved\nFriction Reduction and Wear Resistance of\nSteel Using a Subnanometer Nanowires-Poly-α-Olefin Gel Lubricant

Lubricating\noil is commonly utilized due to its excellent lubricating\nproperties in mechanical motion systems. However, high fluidity in\nlubricating oil often leads to leakage during machine operation, causing\nmechanical components to fail. Herein, a gel lubricant of SNWs-PAO6\nwas devised by combining subnanometer nanowires (SNWs) with poly α-olefin\n6 (PAO6) at room temperature, effectively confining PAO6 and preventing\nPAO6’s creeping and leakage while enhancing its load-bearing\ncapacity. SNWs-PAO6 outperforms PAO6 in reducing friction and wear\nfor steel-on-steel interfaces. The friction coefficient is markedly\ndiminished by 57.53%, from 0.223 to 0.095, while the wear rate is\nsignificantly curtailed by 84.98%. Furthermore, SNWs-PAO6 remains\nstable even after 180 000 cycles at 200 N and 25 Hz, withstanding\nhigh-speed centrifugation without releasing PAO6. It remained stable\nover 6 months of resting and can well withstand low temperatures.\nSurface analysis of the wear scar and the formed tribochemical film\nafter friction has demonstrated that PW<sub>12</sub>O<sub>40</sub><sup>3–</sup> is more likely to adsorb onto the steel surface,\nforming a lubricating medium film through tribochemical reactions\nand thus reducing interfacial friction and wear. This method facilitates\nthe development of domain-limited nanomaterials-based gels for mass\nproduction and their applications in engineering moving parts.