Synergetic enhancement of wear resistance of polyimide coatings through the integration of MoS2 nanoflowers and MXene nanosheets

Composite nano-lubricating fillers have attracted much attention due to their excellent synergistic effect. In this study, MoS₂ nanoflowers composed of two-dimensional nanosheets were synthesized by precise control of hydrothermal conditions. Using the "bridging" effect of dopamine, the flower-like MoS₂ was assembled with MXene to form a unique compound filler. This distinctive structure perfectly retained the shape of the MoS₂ flower. The impacts of compound fillers on the thermodynamic, mechanistic, and frictional properties of polyimide (PI) coatings were scrutinized. The formation of the compound fillers between MXene and MoS₂ effectively improve the interface compatibility of individual materials in the PI matrix. The compound fillers can enhance the thermodynamic stability and mechanical properties of PI. It is noteworthy that the frictional coefficient of the PI/(MoS₂:MXene = 4:6) compound coating decreased by 47.2 %, and the attrition rate reduced by 98.5 % compared to the pure PI coating. The compound lubricating filler prepared by the combination of two types of two-dimensional lubrication fillers has an important application prospect in the field of wear resistance of polymer materials.