Study on high-temperature diffusion of nanoparticles on metal surfaces and their anti-wear and corrosion-resistance behaviors

Purpose Metallic materials suffer severe wear and corrosion under high-temperature and high-load service conditions, restricting the reliability of advanced manufacturing equipment. This study aims to systematically compare the high-temperature diffusion behaviors of Al2O3, ZnO, MoS2 and AlN nanoparticles on copper surfaces and to reveal the synergistic anti-wear and anti-corrosion mechanisms, establishing the optimal diffusion conditions for each nanoparticle type. Design/methodology/approach Four nanoparticles including Al2O3, AlN, ZnO and MoS2 were selected for high-temperature diffusion treatment. Microstructure and elemental distribution were characterized via scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. Tribological tests and electrochemical measurements were conducted to evaluate friction, wear and corrosion resistance of modified copper surfaces. Findings ZnO nanoparticles achieved optimal deep and uniform diffusion, forming a dense protective layer. The modified surface delivered the lowest friction coefficient of 0.15 and the highest corrosion inhibition efficiency of 88%. Al2O3, AlN and MoS2 exhibited weak diffusion and inferior protective performance compared with ZnO. Originality/value This work clarifies the temperature-dependent diffusion difference of different nanoparticles on metal surfaces and the corresponding synergistic anti-wear and corrosion-resistant mechanism. It provides a novel theoretical reference and technical support for nanoparticle interfacial modification and high-temperature surface protection of metallic components.