Multi-layer Ti3C2Tx-nanoparticles (MXenes) as solid lubricants – Role of surface terminations and intercalated water

Abstract

MXenes, a new class of 2-dimensional materials, and in particular Ti3C2Tx-nanoparticles,have attractedconsiderable attention in energy storage and catalysislately.Despitehavinga weakly-bounded multi-layered structure with self-lubricatingability, the usage of MXenes for tribological purposes is surprisingly underexplored. Here, we address for the first time the influence of surface terminations and intercalated water inTi3C2Tx-nanoparticles on friction and wear when used as a solid lubricant. Ball-on-diskexperimentsat4 % relative humidityACCEPTED MANUSCRIPTACCEPTED MANUSCRIPTrevealexcellent tribologicalproperties of theseTi3C2Tx-nanoparticles with a remarkable fric-tion reduction of about 300 % coupled with the potential to greatly reduce adhesive, abrasive and tribo-chemical wear. Advanced,complementary materials’characterisation underlinesthe significant influence of surface terminations and intercalated water, definingthem as key pa-rameters to tailorthe resulting frictional performance.Consequently, our results highlight Ti3C2Tx-nanoparticles as outstanding, next-generation solid lubricants in nano-and micro-scale systems.