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Ionic Liquid-Nanoparticle-Based Hybrid-Nanolubricant Additives for Potential Enhancement of Tribological Properties of Lubricants and Their Comparative Study with ZDDP

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Abstract

Can ZDDP (a common antiwear additive) be replaced with ionic liquids (ILs) and nanoparticle (NPs)-based hybrid nanolubricant additives? To answer this question, three ionic liquids (ILs) trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinate i.e. ([P66614] [BTMPP]), trihexyltetradecylphosphonium bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate i.e. ([P66614] [DEHP]) and trihexyltetradecylphosphonium dibutyl phosphate i.e. ([P66614] [DBP]) were added with nanoparticles (hBN and ZnO) in synthetic base oil (PAO) to obtain hybrid nanolubricants (PAO+ILs+NPs). This is the first study to explore ([P66614] [DBP]) IL as a lubricant additive with respect to its tribological and EP properties. Tribological and extreme pressure performances of the lubricants were tested using a four-ball tribometer. ([P66614] [DEHP]) and ([P66614] [DBP]) hybrid nanolubricants showed excellent synergy in friction (23–30%) and wear (41–57%) reduction, while ([P66614] [BTMPP]) hybrid nanolubricants showed marginal improvement over their respective single additive. Both single and hybrid nanolubricants enhanced extreme pressure properties of the base oil in the range of 15–75%, and the highest reduction of 75% was observed with ([P66614] [DEHP]) hybrid nanolubricants. All the hybrid nanolubricants outperformed commercial ZDDP in friction and wear reduction despite having no Sulphur and half of the phosphorus concentration. Moreover, all three ILs improved the dispersion stability of the NPs in the base oil by few days but were unable to provide long term stability on their own. The SEM–EDS and XPS spectra showed active elements (P, B, N, and Zn) on the respective worn surface, confirming the tribochemical reaction and tribosintering process as the dominant mechanism of tribofilm formation for ILs and NPs, respectively.

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Acknowledgements

The authors want to thank the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) government of India (Grant No. CRG/2018/002076) for funding this research. We furthermore acknowledge the Tribology lab and Synthesis lab of the National Institute of Technology Warangal for providing tribological testing and ionic liquid synthesis facilities, respectively.

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  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, 506004, India

    Upendra Maurya & V. Vasu

  2. Department of Chemistry, National Institute of Technology Warangal, Warangal, 506004, India

    Dhurke Kashinath

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Maurya, U., Vasu, V. & Kashinath, D. Ionic Liquid-Nanoparticle-Based Hybrid-Nanolubricant Additives for Potential Enhancement of Tribological Properties of Lubricants and Their Comparative Study with ZDDP. Tribol Lett 70, 11 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-021-01551-6

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