Synthesis and tribological study of a novel thiadiazole derivative as multifunctional lubricant additive

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Physicochemical and engineering aspects, 2025-02, Vol.707, p.135825, Article 135825
• Main Authors: Dong, Junyang, Sun, Qihao, Zhang, Songwei, Zhang, Enhui, Ma, Wenwen, Wang, Yanan, Li, Weimin, Wang, Xiaobo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ionic liquid; Lubrication mechanism; Thiadiazole derivative; Tribological performance; Ultra-thick tribofilm
• ISSN: 0927-7757
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2024.135825

A 2,5-bis-dodecyldisulfanyl-3-ethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole (BDET) based ionic liquid (IL) was synthesized and its tribological performance as an additive in ester-based oil (DIPE) was evaluated. The tribological performance of [BDET][BF4] was compared with that of a commercial additive, zinc dialkyl dithiophosphates (ZDDP). It was found that [BDET][BF4] resulted in a 12 % reduction in the friction coefficient in comparison to base oil. Furthermore, it displays excellent wear protection characteristics, exhibiting the lowest wear volume, which is half that of ZDDP and only one-fifteenth of the base oil. Noteworthily, [BDET][BF4] is capable of forming a tribofilm with a thickness of 2 μm, which is more than 10 times greater than that of ZDDP. Surface analysis indicates that the outstanding tribological performance of [BDET][BF4] is attributable to the coexistence of an adsorption layer and a tribo-chemical reaction film. Moreover, the presence of a thiadiazole group in its molecular structure enables [BDET][BF4] to exhibit effective corrosion inhibition towards copper. In general, the simple preparation procedure, favorable tribological characteristics and anticorrosion properties make [BDET][BF4] an effective multifunctional additive in lubricants. [Display omitted] •A BDET-based ionic liquid was designed and synthesized.•[BDET][BF4] exhibited better friction-reducing and anti-wear performance by comparison with the ZDDP additive.•The ultra-thick tribo-film that formed in the lubricant containing [BDET][BF4] was up to 2 μm.•[BDET][BF4] has good anticorrosion performance on the copper strip.