Nanostructured molybdenum/heteroatom-doped carbon dots nanohybrids for lubrication by direct carbonization route

Inorganic-organic hybrid ternary molybdenum-doped carbon dots-metal nanohybrids(CDs-Mo) have been prepared by in situ carbonization of tri-functional glutamic acid, bis-functional dicationic liquid([BHDABCO][Ntf]) and ammonium molybdate, which were explored as lubricant additive in PEG base oil that reduced the friction coefficient of 62.90% and wear volume of 80.21%. The positively charged steel surface attracted CDs-Mo during friction thus leading to the fluorescence decrease of PEG with 1 wt% CDs-Mo, which aggregated and transformed into uneven carbon-based oil film that avoided the direct contact of frictional pairs.