Preliminary tribological evaluation of Borophene as a lubricant additive

Abstract

Borophene is a novel 2D material with extreme physical and chemical properties, which demonstrates high potential in various applications, particularly in the defense industry and nanotechnology. In this study, few-layer, partially oxidized boron nanosheets were (refers to Borophene) synthesized via a scalable method and investigated as lubricant additives under boundary lubrication conditions. Borophene was characterized using advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction, confirming their unique layered structure and polymorphic crystalline phases. Tribological tests revealed that borophene significantly reduced the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear volume compared to both base oil and commercial zinc dialkyldithiophosphates (ZDDP) additives. Specifically, borophene exhibited superior performance at higher concentrations (5%), forming stable tribofilms that reduced surface wear and friction. These findings suggest that borophene is a promising alternative to ZDDP, offering improved tribological performance without the environmental hazards associated with metal-based additives. The study highlights borophene’s potential for sustainable and effective use in advanced lubrication applications, providing a pathway for further exploration in the field of tribology. Additionally, this study represents a proof-of-concept assessment of borophene as lubricant additives, focusing on fundamental tribological behavior rather than long-term formulation stability.