Moss-Inspired Biomimetic Architecture Endows ILs-CNTs@MoS ₂ with Superior Lubrication Performance

In complex friction environments, traditional lubricants often face issues such as unstable lubricating films, poor dispersibility, and limited load-carrying capacity, making them particularly prone to lubrication failure under water-based or multiphase conditions. Inspired by the lubrication mechanism of moss structures, moss-like biomimetic ILs-CNTs@MoS2 was constructed by grafting carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the surface of ultrathin molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets via an ionic liquids (ILs)-assisted one-step hydrothermal method. This process involves exfoliating and fracturing MoS2 layers while restricting the operating range of CNTs, enabling controlled construction of a multidimensional interconnected composite structure. The resulting material demonstrates excellent structural stability and remarkable superdispersibility, allowing a continuous and reversible transition from dispersed fluids to gels and moldable doughs as the concentration is varied. The CNTs@MoS2 framework provides low-shear slip pathways and mechanical support, while stored ILs are dynamically released to the friction interface under external loading, forming a stress-responsive adsorbed film that achieves synergistic lubrication. Friction testing revealed a significant reduction in the coefficient of friction from 0.413 (2 N) to 0.073 (4 N), validating the remarkable synergistic lubrication performance of the ILs-CNTs@MoS2 system. This study provides a novel theoretical foundation and technical approach for designing and applying novel adaptive lubrication materials.