Tribological property of onion-like fullerenes as lubricant additive

Onion-like fullerenes (OLFs) were generated by arc discharge in water between pure graphite electrodes. The size and crystalline morphology of the generated OLFs were characterized by means of the high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, OLFs were added to base lubricant and the tribological property of OLFs was investigated by using a four-ball type tribometer. The results indicated that the OLFs with diameter about 25 nm were of high degree graphitization. Good friction-reduction property at different additive concentration and applied load as lubricant additive was obtained. The scratches on the worn surfaces become slighter and more uniform with addition of OLFs to the base lubricant. In addition, the tribological mechanism of the sliding-bearing system was proposed.