Implanting MnO2 into Hexagonal Boron Nitride as Nanoadditives for Enhancing Tribological Performance

Hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (h-BNNs) show great potential in the field of tribology due to their typical two-dimensional layered structure and are essential for replacing conventional sulfur/phosphate-containing additives. However, the large particle size and poor dispersion of h-BNs seriously restrict their green lubrication application. In this paper, MnO2@h-BNNs nanocomposites were successfully prepared by ultrasonically exfoliating a hydrothermal method. The tribological properties of MnO2@h-BNNs nanocomposites as lubricant additives in poly-alpha-olefin oil (PAO) were investigated. The results show the oil dispersed with 0.25 wt% MnO2@h-BNNs had the best friction reduction and antiwear effect with 42% and 11.2% reduction, respectively, compared with the plain oil. Through further wear surface analyzing, we verified the antiwear mechanism of additives in filling the micropits and grooves on the wear surface and forming a friction protection film including Fe2O3, MnO2, and BN on the wear surface, avoiding direct contact between the friction subsets. This can provide ideas for other lubricating oil additives