Reinforcement of nanoporous lanthanum-doped zinc borate by vanadium selenide nanosheets for improved tribological activity

Abstract

Nanoporous zinc borate (ZB) and 10% lanthanum-doped porous zinc borate (LZB) were synthesized to explore the role of porosity and doping in zinc borate during lubrication. HR-SEM, TEM, and HR-TEM authenticated nanoporous structures. The tribological properties of their blends with paraffin oil (PO) were compared by employing ASTM D4172 and ASTM D5183 norms on a four-ball tester. Vanadium selenide nanosheets (VSe₂) were used to reinforce the structure of LZB for further advancement of the tribological properties. The superiority of the LZB/VSe₂ over LZB and VSe₂ nanosheets could be adjudged by tribological data. The porosity and lanthanum doping have yielded commendable tribological activity. The VSe₂ nanosheets have strengthened the LZB matrix. The other constituent oxides of tribofilm from the LZB matrix, based on EDX analysis and XPS studies of the worn surface, ZnO, B₂O₃, La₂O₃, and V₂O₅, have abetted lubrication. The AFM and SEM investigations of wear track corroborated the tribological results.