Researchers from the University of Nevada have investigated the introduction of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) to canola oil to improve its tribological properties, as part of an effort to reduce the usage of lubricants based on petroleum as lubricants for reducing abrasion and friction.
Three nanoscale lubricating combinations were created by combining both GNP and hBN settings in varied ratios to get the best beneficial synergy. The team reports that lubrication quality and performance may be increased by using low-weight percentages of nanoparticle (NP) and microparticle additions. One benefit is that it has a reduced coefficient of friction (COF) and wearing.
When hBN and GNP are combined and mixed into canola oil, the abrasive wear and friction aspects improve significantly. When GNP and hBN are combined in canola oil to generate a hybridized nanoscale lubricant combination (particularly the blend having more hBN), a synergistic effect occurs in terms of the COF.
The hybrid combination with the highest GNP, on the other hand, had the least wear volume.