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Molecular Dynamics Study on the Mechanism of Improved Tribological Properties of Nano-ZnO with Decanol Lubrication

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Abstract

This study employs molecular dynamics simulation to examine the tribological behavior of nano zinc oxide (nano-ZnO) lubricated with decanol. The changes in electrostatic interaction energy, molecular structure, and chemical reactions during the friction process were analyzed. For ZnO-decanol-ZnO system, the simulation revealed a notable reduction in the coefficient of friction for nano-ZnO, decreasing from 0.49 (at 0.5 GPa and 100 m/s) to 0.18 (at 3 GPa and 20 m/s). This improvement is attributed to the enhanced adsorption ability and temperature stabilization provided by the decanol lubricant. Furthermore, an increase in velocity induces elastoplastic deformation and wear on the sliding surface, leading to a decline in tribological performance.

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The data that support the findings of this study are available on request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project Nos. 51601021).

Funding

Funding was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project Nos. 51601021).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering and Rail Transit, Changzhou University, Gehu Zhong Road 21, Changzhou, 213164, China

    Min Ji, Yaowen Chen, Ying Wang, Jing Li, Haijun Pan, Yujie Zhao, Zhen Zhang & Lin Liu

  2. Institute for Technical Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), 76128, Karlsruhe, Germany

    Feichi Zhang

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  1. Min Ji
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  2. Yaowen Chen
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  3. Ying Wang
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Contributions

Min Ji ,Yaowen Chen, Lin Liu, and Feichi Zhang wrote the main manuscript text. Yaowen Chen, Jing Li,Yujie Zhao, and Zhen Zhang made the simulations. Ying Wang and Haijun Pan prepared figures. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Lin Liu.

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Ji, M., Chen, Y., Wang, Y. et al. Molecular Dynamics Study on the Mechanism of Improved Tribological Properties of Nano-ZnO with Decanol Lubrication. Tribol Lett 72, 42 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11249-024-01840-w

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