Tribological studies of rhenium doped fullerene-like MoS2 nanoparticles in boundary, mixed and elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication conditions

The tribological properties of rhenium-doped inorganic fullerene-like MoS2 nanoparticles were studied in poly alpha olefin oil, and compared to inorganic fullerene-like (IF) MS2 (M=Mo,W) nanoparticles and 2H-MoS2 platelets. For this purpose a rotational disc tribometer was used. Different regimes in the Stribeck curve, i.e., boundary, mixed and elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication conditions were studied. A precipitous reduction in friction and wear of oil suspensions with nanoparticles were observed for the entire IF samples. However, Re-doped IF exhibited the best results, presumably due to their reduced tribocharging and agglomeration. The various tribological mechanisms of solid state additives are discussed.