Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots assembled on layered Ti3C2Tx exhibit excellent tribological properties

Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) as a lubricant additive, is limited by its single tribological mechanisms and difficult to surface functionalization. Therefore, it will be anticipated to combine NCQDs with two-dimensional layered materials, so as to improve lubrication and interface bonding performance. Due to the active groups existing on the surface of Ti3C2Tx, the NCQDs is assembled on the two-dimensional material Ti3C2Tx, thus the NCQDs@Ti3C2Tx composite can be used as a favorable lubricant additive. The NCQDs@Ti3C2Tx composite can exert synergistic lubrication and chemical reactions during the friction process in comparison to NCQDs as lubricant additives, resulting in forming a friction transfer film between the surface. Therefore, this study confirms that NCQDs@Ti3C2Tx composite exhibits enormous potential as a lubricant additive.