Nanolubricants developed from tiny CuO nanoparticles

• Published in: Tribology international Vol. 100; pp. 263 - 271
• Main Authors: Alves, S.M., Mello, V.S., Faria, E.A., Camargo, A.P.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2016
• Subjects: Boundary lubrication; PAO oil; Tiny CuO nanoparticles; PAO oil; Tiny CuO nanoparticles; Boundary lubrication
• ISSN: 0301-679X; 1879-2464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2016.01.050

This paper reports the use of tiny CuO nanoparticles as EP additives in the synthetic oil, developing nanolubricants with low concentrations of this oxide. The nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal microwave technique, and their average size was 5nm. After that, the nanoparticles were covered with oleic acid and added three different concentrations in PAO oil (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5wt%) using Toulene as the dispersant. The tribological performance of these oils was evaluated in HFRR tribometer under boundary lubrication conditions. The results showed that it is possible to reduce the friction coefficient and wear using tiny nanoparticle as well as decrease the percentage of CuO addition in lubricating oil. Moreover, tiny copper oxide reveals potential use lubricant applications. •Hydrothermal microwave technique is efficient to produce tiny, crystalline and spherical copper oxide nanoparticle.•A lower concentration (0.1wt%) gives lower friction coefficient in nanolubricants with tiny CuO.•Tiny CuO nanparticle is deposited on friction surface forming the tribofilm by tribo-sintering.•The worn surface morphology depends on nanoparticle concentration; the smoother surface was observed to disc lubricated with 0.1% nanolubricant.