Designing core–shell Cu@Co porous liquid to optimize the mechanical and lubrication performances of fabric liner

•Cu@Co PLs is synthesized by surface engineering Cu@Co MOF particles via covalently grafting corona DC5700 and ionically tethering canopy PEGs.•Cu@Co PLs improves the dispersion of Cu@Co MOF in resin and promotes the lubrication performance of fabric liner significantly.•The adsorption layer formed by Cu@Co PLs is conducive to the formation of tribofilm.•The tribo-chemical reactions participate in improving the lubricity and durability of tribofilm.