Ternary hybrid nanoparticles of reduced graphene oxide/graphene-like MoS2/zirconia as lubricant additives for bismaleimide composites with improved mechanical and tribological properties

To develop low friction coefficient and high wear resistance composites, the ternary hybrid nanoparticles consisting of reduced graphene oxide (rGO), graphene-like MoS2 and ZrO2 with active amino groups (NH2-rGO/MoS2/ZrO2) were successfully prepared through a facile and effective one-pot hydrothermal method. Subsequently, the bismaleimide (BMI) composites with different weight fraction of fillers were fabricated to enhance the mechanical and tribological properties of BMI resin. The results demonstrate that the layers of MoS2 in the filler can significantly decrease and just a little content of fillers can remarkably improve the mechanical and tribological properties of BMI resin. In particular, the average friction coefficient and volume wear rate of the BMI composite containing 0.4 wt.% NH2-rGO/MoS2/ZrO2 can reach the lowest value of 0.15 and 1.5 × 10−6 mm3/(N·m), respectively. The excellent friction-reducing and wear-resistance performances are mainly attributed to the good synergistic effect among the rGO nanosheets, graphene-like MoS2 and ZrO2.