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Facile synthesis of ultrathin NbTe 2 nanosheets for enhanced tribological properties as a lubricant additive
Author(s) -
Dong Jinze,
Li Changsheng,
Yang Jin,
Chen Beibei,
Song Haojie,
Chen Jinsuo,
Peng Weixiang
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
crystal research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.377
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1521-4079
pISSN - 0232-1300
DOI - 10.1002/crat.201600235
Subject(s) - materials science , tribology , lubricant , composite material , transmission electron microscopy , exfoliation joint , dry lubricant , scanning electron microscope , ball mill , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , graphene , engineering
Graphite‐like bulk NbTe 2 powders were prepared by a facile solid phase synthesis process and ultrathin NbTe 2 nanosheets were obtained by using wet ball milling induced delamination. The X‐ray diffraction analysis illustrated that the reduction of particle size was mainly along the stacking direction of the basal planes without great influence on the short range order of NbTe 2 crystals. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscope observations revealed that the longitudinal dimension of NbTe 2 samples changed into the nanoscale from the larger micron level after mechanical exfoliation. The exfoliated NbTe 2 nanosheets had better long‐term dispersion stability in paraffin oil than bulk NbTe 2 . The tribological properties were determined on an UMT‐2 ball‐on‐disk friction and wear tester. The results indicated that the paraffin oil with NbTe 2 nanosheets exhibited better lubricating behaviors with the lower friction coefficient and wear rate in comparison with the bulk NbTe 2 . It was demonstrated that NbTe 2 nanosheets could easily enter into a point of friction contact, and form an available tribofilm to prevent the direct contact between counterparts during the friction process. Furthermore, this work shows the potential applications of ultrathin NbTe 2 nanosheets in the field of tribology.