Search

Metal matrix self-lubricating composites exhibit outstanding performance in various environments, reaching the required properties by modifying the reinforcement–matrix ratio and the production method. The present research investigated the effects on tribological performance and electrical properties of different pressure loads, maintaining pressing time, and sintering temperatures during the production of copper–10 wt% tungsten disulfide (Cu–WS₂) composite via powder metallurgy. Moreover, additional thermo-mechanical treatments were evaluated, namely second pressing and second sintering steps. The density and the hardness of the produced composites were measured, as well as the electrical resistivity, considering sliding electrical contacts as possible employment. The outputs of the wear tests were considered together with the analysis of the wear track via scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy to understand wear mechanisms. Different production routes were compared in terms of electrical resistivity, wear coefficient, and specific wear rate, calculated by the confocal laser scanning microscopy, and friction coefficient, measured during the wear test. The main results highlighted that the increase in sintering temperature was detrimental to the hardness and tribological properties; higher load and additional pressing step determined a general improvement in the tested properties.

This work deals with the development of graphene oxide (GO)-based self-assembling membranes as possible innovative proton conductors to be used in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Nowadays, the most adopted electrolyte is Chemours’ Nafion; however, it reveals significant deficiencies such as strong dehydration at high temperature and low humidity, which drastically reduces its proton conductivity. The presence of oxygenated moieties in the GO framework makes it suitable for functionalization, which is required to enhance the promising, but insufficient, proton-carrying features of GO. In this study, sulfonic acid groups (–SO₃H) that should favor proton transport were introduced in the membrane structure via a reaction between GO and concentrated sulfuric acid. Six acid-to-GO molar ratios were adopted in the synthesis procedure, giving rise to final products with different sulfonation degrees. All the prepared samples were characterized by means of TGA, ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, temperature-dependent XRD, SEM and EDX, which pointed out morphological and microstructural changes resulting from the functionalization stage, confirming its effectiveness. Regarding functional features, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as well as measurements of ion exchange capacity (IEC) were carried out to describe the behavior of the various samples, with pristine GO and commercial Nafion® 212 used as reference. EIS tests were performed at five different temperatures (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 °C) under high (95%) and medium (42%) relative humidity conditions. Compared to both GO and Nafion® 212, the sulfonated specimens demonstrate an increase in the number of ion-carrying groups, as proved by both IEC and EIS tests, which reveal the enhanced proton conductivity of these novel membranes. Specifically, an acid-to-GO molar ratio of 10 produces a six-fold improvement of IEC (4.23 meq g⁻¹) with respect to pure GO (0.76 meq g⁻¹), while a maximum eig

In this preliminary study, a set of self-lubricating copper-tungsten disulfide (Cu-WS₂) composites are prepared via a powder metallurgy route to analyze the effects of solid lubricant concentration on their tribological, electrical and wettability properties. An extensive characterization is performed to preliminarily assess the potential application of these metal matrix composites (MMCs) in sliding electrical contacts working under harsh conditions. The experimental results reveal the beneficial effect of WS₂ on the wear behavior of the prepared composites, as demonstrated by friction coefficient, specific wear rate and wear coefficients results. A second phase content in the 10–15 wt% range appears to guarantee the better combination of the desired features.