Enhanced tribological properties of wind turbine engine oil formulated with flower-shaped MoS2 nano-additives

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces. A, Physicochemical and engineering aspects Physicochemical and engineering aspects, 2021-07, Vol.620, p.126509, Article 126509
• Main Authors: Saidi, Mohamed Zoubair, El Moujahid, Chaouki, Pasc, Andreea, Canilho, Nadia, Delgado-Sanchez, Clara, Celzard, Alain, Fierro, Vanessa, Kouitat-Njiwa, Richard, Chafik, Tarik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemical Sciences; Formulation; Friction/Wear modifiers; Hydrothermal synthesis; MoS2 nano-additives; Surface hydrophobization; Wind turbine lubricant
• ISSN: 0927-7757; 1873-4359
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.126509

Wind energy has become one of the most viable green and sustainable energy sources. A major concern of this sector is the damage of mechanical components and energy losses caused by repeated friction and wear, which lead to reduced efficiency and increased maintenance costs. The development of new lubricant additives with high anti-wear properties and friction reduction capabilities is of paramount importance to ensure long service life and high efficiency of mechanical devices. Herein, flower-shaped MoS2 nano-additives of about 150 nm were prepared under mild conditions through a hydrothermal process. Octyl- and octadecyltrichlorosilane were used as surface hydrophobization agents to enhance the colloidal stability of MoS2 nano-additives formulations in wind turbine engine oil. Increasing the length of the alkyl chain grafted onto the particles improved the colloidal stability up to at least one year and, more importantly, resulted in the lowest friction and best wear reduction capabilities, as shown by the pin-on-disk tribometer and laboratory wear tests. [Display omitted] •Flower shaped MoS2 of 150 nm were prepared via a hydrothermal method in ethylene glycol/water (1: 4 vol ratio).•Excellent dispersibility and long-term stability were achieved in wind turbine oil by surface hydrophobization of MoS2 NPs.•A high deterministic relationship was found between the stability enhancement and the tribological efficiency.•Grafting MoS2 with longer alkyl chain (octadecyl vs octyl) lead to better tribological performance and higher lubricity power.