Modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with fatty acid and their tribological properties as lubricant additive

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were treated with mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid. The surface modification of the oxidized MWNTs was achieved by refluxing the MWNTs with stearic acid (SA). The modified MWNTs were examined by the transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy and Infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, the modified MWNTs were added to base lubricant and the tribological properties of resultant MWNTs lubricant were investigated by using a pin-on-plate wear tester. The results indicated that an esterification was formed in the oxidized MWNTs and SA, and the modification led to an improvement in the dispersion of MWNTs and the tribological properties of MWNTs as lubricant additive.