Solvent-free ionic molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanofluids with self-healing lubricating behaviors

Nanoscale ionic materials (NIMs) which have a core-corona-canopy structure are innovative materials that have drawn great attention. In our work, homogeneous and stable solvent-free ionic MoS2 nanofluids, falling under the category of typical NIMs, were obtained by surface functionalizing and ionically tethering nanoscale graphite-like MoS2 from hydrothermal synthesis. Rheological results and the fluidity of nanofluids showed the Newtonian liquid behaviors of the nanofluids, which is favorable for lubrication. Furthermore, nanotribological results reveal that the nanofluids show lower, more stable friction coefficients and self-healing lubricating behaviors under a certain limit of normal load. The nanofluids can protect the substrates from scratching and wear.

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► Homogeneous and stable solvent-free ionic MoS2 nanofluids are obtained.
► MoS2 nanofluids show lower and more stable friction coefficients.
► Nanomechanical scratching revealed the self-healing property of the nanofluids.
► MoS2 nanofluids can protect the silicon substrates from scratching and wear.