Experimental and molecular dynamics simulation study of the thermal conductivity mechanism of biolubricant-based functionalized silver/carbon black additives

Lubricant degradation under elevated temperatures is a critical challenge in the automobile and manufacturing sectors, which reduces the durability of machinery components. In this study, a new environmentally friendly castor oil-based lubricant was developed utilizing tert‑butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)-functionalized silver/carbon black (Ag/CB@TBHQ) nano-additives. Herein, the mechanism of thermal conductivity improvement in Ag/CB@TBHQ nanolubricant was investigated by experimental tests and molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, the hybrid Ag/CB@TBHQ nano-additive presented superior thermal conductivity compared to individual nano-additives (Ag or CB) under various concentrations and temperatures. Additionally, the study presented the improved tribological performance of a novel nanolubricant under various temperatures. In summary, our results will offer promising insights to enhance the heat transfer capability and tribological performance of mechanical systems.