Assembling MXene/AgNWs nanocoating with 3D-printed triply periodic minimal surface lattice SiC_w/SiOC structure towards excellent dry contact lubrication

Reducing friction and wear-induced damage of advanced ceramic materials has aroused increasing interests due to their extraordinary performance in machinery component applications under complex service conditions. The lubrication behavior of ceramics is highly restricted by the intrinsic high friction coefficient and low toughness. Herein, MXene/AgNWs nanocoating with high interlayer slipping and good ductility was introduced on toughening 3D-printed triply periodic minimal surface lattice SiC_w/SiOC structures as partition lubrication gradient composites towards desirable low friction and wear. As expected, the printed SiC_w/SiOC structure exhibits nearly 36.58 % decrease in friction coefficient compared to the SiOC plate. The as-prepared composite achieves a stable low friction coefficient of around 0.16 over 12000 sliding cycles, a considerably stable value of 0.17 and an ideal wear rate of around 2.48 × 10⁻⁵ mm³ N⁻¹ m⁻¹for 18000 sliding cycles. The small contact area and abrasive debris trapping driven by microscale unique spatial curved surface structure, the external applied stress dispersion guided by micro-nano scale SiC_w, as well as the formation of composite lubricating film and the repair of worn surface contribute to such extraordinary long-term lubrication durability. This strategy opens new avenues for developing customizable multi-functional integrated ceramic base lubrication devices and accelerating their application in future industrial manufacturing.