Effect of dispersing single and hybrid nanoparticles on tribological, thermo-physical, and stability characteristics of lubricants: a review

• Published in: Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry Vol. 143; no. 2; pp. 1773 - 1809
• Main Authors: Pownraj, C., Valan Arasu, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.01.2021; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Friction reduction; Inorganic Chemistry; Lubricants; Lubricants & lubrication; Lubricants industry; Lubrication and lubricants; Measurement Science and Instrumentation; Mechanical systems; Nanoparticles; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Stability analysis; Surface active agents; Surfactants; System effectiveness; Tribology; Nanolubricants; Stability; Tribological properties; Preparation; Thermo-physical properties
• ISSN: 1388-6150; 1588-2926
• DOI: 10.1007/s10973-020-09837-y

Lubricants are widely used in various mechanical systems for reducing heat and friction between the working components having relative motions. Thus, the enhancement of lubricant oil properties will play a vital role in the context of protecting machinery from highly probable damages and minimizing energy losses. The development of modern lubricants and their proper use are of great importance for managing economy and the environment. In general, nano-sized particles dispersed in the lubricants, known as nanolubricants, are used in mechanical systems in order to reduce heat and friction effectively. Properties (tribological and thermo-physical) of nanolubricants are found to be the recent subject of research in the field of lubricants. This review article comprehensively analyzes and summarizes the numerous research works on preparation, tribological property, thermo-physical property, and stability characteristics of both mono- and hybrid nanoparticle-based nanolubricants. More importantly, this paper examines the various influencing factors like base lubricants, nanoparticle size, shape, preparation methods, concentrations, nature of nanoparticles, surfactants, and temperature on nanolubricant characteristics. Finally, stability of nanolubricant, various surfactants used and different stability measuring techniques are analyzed.