Synergistic tribological performance of Ti₃C₂T_x MXene functionalized with ionic liquids

Ti₃C₂T_x MXene nanosheets are employed to graft ionic liquids via Michael addition or Schiff base reactions, with polydopamine acting as a bridging agent. This process creates a robust and synergistic tribological interface when the hybrids are used as lubricating additives in oil. The structural hybridization harnesses the high surface area and weak interlayer forces of MXenes, along with the thermal stability and film-forming capabilities of ionic liquids. The study reveals that lubricants fortified with these functionalized nanosheets exhibit a notable reduction in the average coefficient of friction from 0.188 to 0.112 and an 81.7% decrease in wear volume. These results highlight the untapped potential of structurally optimized, ionic liquid-functionalized MXenes as a transformative advancement in the field of tribology.