Boron Oxide/Alumina Nanocomposites as Lubricant Oil Additives to Save Friction-Induced Energy Waste

Wei Li1

Qiang Chen1

Wenjuan Zhang2

Ting Luo3,*Email

Bingqiang Cao1

Materials Research Center for Energy and Photoelectrochemical Conversion, School of Material Science and Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan, Shandong, 250022, China

Jinan Yinhe Road and Bridge Test and Inspection Co. LTD, Jinan, Shandong, 250032, China

School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong, 250353, China

Abstract

Friction, existed in almost every motion process in nature, causes a significant waste of energy. In order to reduce the energy waste, the lubricity performance of the lubricant oil was largely improved by introducing an appropriate amount of nanocomposites into it. Herein, in order to give full play to the respective advantages of B2O3 nanoparticle and Al2O3 nanoparticle and achieve the best anti-wear and anti-friction effect, the synthesis and surface functionalization of B2O3/Al2O3 nanocomposites were provided by one-step nonhydrolyticsol. The surface functionalized B2O3/Al2O3 nanocomposites can be stably dispersed in lubricating oil for more than 60 days. The lubricating oil with 0.1wt % B2O3/Al2O3 nanocomposites can greatly reduce the coefficient of friction (COF) and surface wear. This concept opens a promising way to save energy by increasing the usage efficiency and simultaneously alleviating the environmental pollutions caused by consumption of fossil energy.