Synthesis and surface modification of the nanoscale cerium borate as lubricant additive

Nanoparticle of cerium borate with a size of about 50 nm was synthesized via sol-gel precipitation method under micro-emulsion by oleic acid, using Na2B4O7 and Ce(NO3)3 aqueous solution as raw materials, and the morphology and microstructure of as-prepared particles were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Two methods to disperse the particles into base oil were employed, and the results derived from the four-ball tribotester indicated that the friction coefficient of the base oil by the addition of the nanoscale cerium borate particles diminished greatly, and the anti-wear properties also depended on the dispersion methods.