Formation of an adsorption film of MoS2 nanoparticles and dioctyl sebacate on a steel surface for alleviating friction and wear

Solid sphere-like nano-MoS2 particles were synthesized via a modified chemical method. The as-synthesized nano-MoS2 could improve the tribological properties of dioctyl sebacate (DOS) more compared with a commercial 2H micro-MoS2. The lubrication of micro-MoS2 in DOS was ascribed to the tribofilm formed by the tribochemical reactions. When the nano-MoS2 was applied as an additive in DOS, a solid complex adsorption film beside the tribofilm was formed on the friction surface to reduce the friction and wear. The adsorption film was composed of MoS2, DOS, and their chemically bonded compounds.