Nanoparticle-Enhanced Lubricants for Improved Friction and Wear Performance: A Critical Review

Öz

Nanoparticles have emerged as promising additives in lubricating oils, offering potential solutions to reduce friction and wear in mechanical systems operating under demanding conditions. Recent studies have demonstrated that the inclusion of nanoscale materials in lubricants can significantly improve tribological performance through mechanisms such as surface film formation and interaction at the microstructural level. Two-dimensional materials such as graphene are reported to reduce the coefficient of friction and wear scar diameter by ~ 40% and 30%, respectively, while three-dimensional nanoparticles such as Al₂O₃ reduce to coefficient of friction value by ~ 15%. However, despite the growing body of research in this field, many studies focus on limited nanoparticle types or do not systematically examine the influence of synthesis methods and dispersion behaviour on overall performance. A lack of comprehensive comparisons across particle types, processing routes, and operating conditions hinders the development of optimized formulations for industrial applications. This review addresses these gaps by analysing recent advances in nanoparticleenhanced lubricants, with a focus on the relationships between synthesis techniques (sol-gel, hydrothermal, chemical reduction), tribological mechanism, and performance outcome. The literature shows that nanoparticles can reduce wear and prolong component life by minimising direct contact and changing surface interactions. Considering these benefits, nanoparticle types, hybrid structures, and functional integration into lubricant systems should be studied for wider and more efficient applications.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Nanoparticles
• Lubricants
• Friction
• Wear
• Tribofilm
• Spinel Oxides
• MXene
• ZnO
• Tribology
• Additive Technology

Nanoparçacık Katkılı Yağlayıcılar ile Sürtünme ve Aşınma Performansının İyileştirilmesi: Eleştirel Bir İnceleme

Öz

Nanopartiküller, zorlu koşullar altında çalışan mekanik sistemlerde sürtünmeyi ve aşınmayı azaltmak için potansiyel çözümler sunan, yağlama yağlarında umut verici katkı maddeleri olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. Son çalışmalar, nano ölçekli malzemelerin yağlayıcılara dahil edilmesinin, yüzey filmi oluşumu ve mikro yapısal düzeyde etkileşim gibi mekanizmalar aracılığıyla tribolojik performansı önemli ölçüde iyileştirebileceğini göstermiştir. Grafen gibi iki boyutlu malzemelerin sürtünme katsayısını ve aşınma izi çapını sırasıyla yaklaşık %40 %30 oranında azalttığı bildirilirken, Al₂O₃ gibi üç boyutlu nanopartiküller sürtünme katsayısı değerini yaklaşık %15 oranında azaltmaktadır. Ancak, bu alandaki artan araştırmalara rağmen, birçok çalışma sınırlı nanopartikül tiplerine odaklanmaktadır veya sentez yöntemlerinin ve dispersiyon davranışının genel performans üzerindeki etkisini sistematik olarak incelememektedir. Özellikle, partikül tipleri, işleme yolları ve çalışma koşulları arasında kapsamlı karşılaştırmaların olmaması, endüstriyel uygulamalar için optimize edilmiş formülasyonların geliştirilmesini engellemektedir. Bu inceleme, sentez tekniği, tribolojik mekanizma ve performans sonucu arasındaki ilişkilere odaklanarak nanopartikül destekli yağlayıcılardaki son gelişmeleri analiz ederek bu boşlukları ele almaktadır. Literatürden elde edilen bulgular, nanopartiküllerin doğrudan teması en aza indirerek ve yüzey etkileşimlerini değiştirerek aşınmayı etkili bir şekilde azaltabileceğini ve bileşen ömrünü uzatabileceğini doğrulamaktadır. Bu faydalar ışığında, nanopartikül tiplerinin çeşitlendirilmesi, yeni hibrit yapıların araştırılması ve daha geniş ve daha verimli uygulamalar için yağlama sistemlerine işlevsel entegrasyonlarının hassas bir şekilde ayarlanması için daha fazla araştırma yapılması teşvik edilmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Nanopartiküller
• Yağlayıcılar
• Sürtünme
• Aşınma
• Tribofilm
• Spinel Oksitler
• MXene
• ZnO
• Triboloji
• Katkı teknolojisi

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