Ionic liquid modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes as lubricant additive

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were modified by imidazolium-based ionic liquid (IL), 1-hydroxyethyl-3-hexyl imidazolium tetrafluoroborate and used as an additive in base stock IL 1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate as the base lubricant. The effectiveness of using the IL- modified MWCNTs as lubricant additive was evaluated using a ball-on-plate configuration on an Optimol SRV oscillating friction and wear tester. The worn surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscope and the chemical composition on wear tracks was analyzed on an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer. Results suggest excellent anti-wear properties for the IL-modified MWCNTs as lubricant additive.