Nanosheets of MoS₂ and reduced graphene oxide as hybrid fillers improved the mechanical and tribological properties of bismaleimide composites

The hybrid nanoparticles composed of reduced graphene oxide and MoS₂ nanosheets with active amino groups (NH₂-rGO/MoS₂) were fabricated by a facile and effective method. Then the bismaleimide (BMI) composites filled with the as-prepared NH₂-rGO/MoS₂ nanoparticles were obtained by a casting method. The microstructure and morphology of NH₂-rGO/MoS₂ nanoparticles, the mechanical properties, thermal property and tribological properties of NH₂-rGO/MoS₂/BMI composites were investigated. The results show that the interlaminar distance of MoS₂ nanosheets in the hybrid nanoparticles is 0.71 nm, which is much larger than that of bulk MoS₂ (0.62 nm); and the NH₂-rGO/MoS₂/BMI composites possess better friction-reducing and anti-wear performances (the friction coefficient and volume wear rate are about 0.2 and 2.9 × 10^-6 mm³/(N·m), respectively) compared to the neat BMI resin. This is mainly attributed to the enhanced toughness of the nanoparticles, good interfacial adhesion between NH₂-rGO/MoS₂ and BMI matrix as well as the synergistic effect between rGO and MoS₂ nanosheets.