Regulating the Nb2C nanosheets with different degrees of oxidation in water lubricated sliding toward an excellent tribological performance

Abstract Novel two-dimensional (2D) Nb 2 C nanosheets were successfully prepared through a simple lultrasonic and magnetic stirring treatment from the original accordion-like powder. To further study their water-lubrication properties deal with common oxidation problems, Nb2C different degrees achieved long-term stability in deionized water. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission (TEM), scanning probe (SPM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Raman, photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) experiments utilized to characterize structure, morphology, dispersion of oxidation. The tribological behaviors as additives for water lubrication characterized using UMT-3 friction testing machine. wear scars formed on 316 steel surface measured three-dimensional (3D) laser confocal microscopy. results showed that moderately oxidized nanosheet, which owned composition C/Nb O 5 /C, displayed excellent performance, coefficient (COF) decreasing by 90.3% decrease rate 73.1% compared pure Combining TEM Raman spectra, it was shown nanoparticles filled worn zone, layered adsorbed into pair form protective lubricating film. This combined action resulted an performance.