Controllable interface-tailored strategy to reduce the nanotribological properties of Ti3C2Tx by depositing MoS2 using atomic layer deposition.

Ti3C2Tx MXene has attracted widespread attention in lubrication owing to its unique structure and surface properties. However, the inferior nanotribological properties of Ti3C2Tx still limit its applications in nano lubricants. Herein, we propose a controllable interface-tailored strategy to reduce the nanotribological properties of Ti3C2Tx by depositing MoS2 nano-sheet on its surface using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The nanotribological properties of the MoS2/Ti3C2Tx nanocomposites synthesized by ALD are studied by atomic force microscope for the first time. At the optimal 20 ALD MoS2 cycles, the nanofriction of MoS2/Ti3C2Tx has been reduced by 57, 46, and 44% (at 5, 10, and 15 nN load, respectively), while the adhesion has been reduced by 59%, compared to the original Ti3C2Tx. The results can contribute to understanding of the nanotribological mechanisms of Ti3C2Tx composites and provide the potential prospects for Ti3C2Tx as a nanoscale adjustable lubricant.