Al3+ diffusion-directed assembly of GO-CNTs multi-layered composite coatings: Preparation and tribological performance

To resolve graphene coating’s typical problems in tribological applications, including poor interfacial bonding, agglomeration, and low wear resistance, a dimensionally composited coating based on graphene oxide (GO) and
carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was successfully prepared by a feasible metal-ion diffusion-directed assembly method. Experiments showed that the Al3+ diffusion-directed assembly method could significantly increase the coating
interfacial binding strength, elasticity modulus, and hardness. In addition, the synergistic lubrication of GO and CNTs during friction enabled the Al3+-GO-CNTs5.0 coating to sustain a longer operation duration of 12,900 cycles. This study refers to inducing coordination with metal ions in various valence states and compositing carbon-based nanomaterials in different dimensions, which provides a feasible way to improve the lubricating coating’s mechanical and tribological performances

针对石墨烯涂层在摩擦学应用中存在的界面结合强度不足、易团聚、耐磨性较差等典型问题，本研究采用可行的金属离子扩散引导组装法，成功制备了基于氧化石墨烯（graphene oxide, GO）与碳纳米管（carbon nanotubes, CNTs）的维度复合涂层。实验结果表明，Al³+扩散引导组装法可显著提升该涂层的界面结合强度、弹性模量与硬度。此外，摩擦过程中GO与CNTs的协同润滑作用，使得Al³+-GO-CNTs5.0涂层的有效运行循环次数可达12900次。本研究通过引入不同价态金属离子的配位诱导作用，实现不同维度碳基纳米材料的复合，为改善润滑涂层的力学与摩擦学性能提供了可行途径。