Investigation of the Nanol additive

The search for a sustainable, greener tribology focuses on both lubricant composition and application. A relatively novel area of research with high potential of improvements is the use of nanoparticles (NPs) as lubricant additives. When suitably functionalized and dispersed, NPs can penetrate the tribological contacts due to their small size, and reduce the contact area between parts. This reduces friction and wear, thus saving fuel and extending service life of parts without generating harmful substances such as sulphur and phosphorous in the environment.
This research project investigates the lubricant additive Nanol, composed of oleate functionalized copper NPs, known to be a friction modifier and antiwear additive. Copper is a cost-effective, recyclable metal which has great potential not only in sustainability but also in its tribological performance. Oleic acid and oleate act as successful friction modifiers and functionalization groups for copper NPs. Previous studies have demonstrated the superior performance of copper nanoadditives over plain oil and reported the mechanisms of copper to include a self-repairing effect and tribofilm formation. This research project aims to identify the lubrication mechanisms of Nanol along with the kinetics and characteristics of the tribofilm generated on the wear track. This knowledge can inform the effective use of Nanol in various tribological applications and optimize its performance.