Tribological properties of epoxy lubricating composite coatings reinforced with core-shell structure of CNF/MoS2 hybrid

To well play the synergy between CNF and MoS2, the hybrid of CNF/MoS2 core-shell structure were successfully prepared via a one-step hydrothermal method. And the as-prepared CNF/MoS2 hybrid showed both excellent lubricity and reinforcing effects to enhance EP composite coatings. Compared with EP and other single filler reinforced composite coatings, EP-CNF/MoS2 had better anti-friction and anti-wear properties, and the friction coefficient and wear rate were only 0.075 and 8.6 × 10−5 mm3/Nm, respectively. This was mainly attributed to the synergistic effect between CNF and uniformly loaded MoS2 as well as the good interfacial adhesion between CNF/MoS2 and EP matrix. Moreover, two feed ratios of CNF and MoS2 precursors were designed to investigate the relationship between the morphology of the synthesized heterostructure and the lubricity. And the EP-CNF/MoS2-3 possessed much better friction and wear properties than EP-CNF/MoS2-1 and EP-CNF/MoS2-2. All these suggested that CNF/MoS2 core-shell structure was a promising additive applied in tribology.