Study of the Preparation and Tribological Properties of Lauryl Group Functionalized Thermally Reduced Graphene Oxide

In order to prepare alkyl-functionalized reduced graphene oxide more simply, economically and environmentally, we adopt a two-step method of first reduction and then surface grafting. Graphite oxide (GtO) is first exfoliated to thermally-reduced graphene oxide (TRGO) and then, in a heat-induced solid-state reaction, converted to lauryl-functionalized TRGO (LTRGO). During the second step, lauryl radicals generated from the decomposition of lauroyl peroxide (LPO) open the epoxide rings on TRGO, covalently grafting the alkyl chains. The average water contact angle of LTRGO is 135.5°, and it disperses stably in base oil without surfactants or other additives. Four-ball test results show when the dosage of LTRGO is 75 mg/L, the average friction coefficient and wear scar diameter of the Formosa Plastics base oil (100 N) are decreased by 20.8% and 15.4%, respectively. The morphology and element analysis after ball-on-disk friction tests showed that the stable LTRGO physical friction adsorption film and metal oxide friction chemical reaction film could be formed between the friction pairs, thus reducing the friction wear.