Ti3C2Tx MXene modified alkyl imidazolium ionic liquid-stearic acid composite materials as a potential lubricant for steel/steel contact

This study proposes a simplified method for preparing a novel BMImPF 6 -stearic acid-Ti 3 C 2 T x ternary composite lubricant through heating, ultrasonication, and three-roll milling. Rheological tests indicate that the resulting composite lubricant exhibits typical non-Newtonian fluid behavior. Friction and wear tests reveal that the BMImPF 6 -stearic acid composite lubricant with 0.3 wt.-% MXene exhibits the best tribological performance, with a friction coefficient of approximately 0.06 and a wear rate as low as 1.32×10 -9 mm 3 /Nm, highlighting its potential as a lubricant for steel/steel contact. The study demonstrates that the endothermic phase change properties of stearic acid regulate the temperature at the friction interface, while BMImPF 6 ensures the formation of an effective tribochemical film, and MXene provides additional repair protection.