Tribological performances of Mo6S3I6 nanowires

A new nanowire-like material with the chemical formula Mo6S3I6 was studied as an additive in a synthetic base oil, a polyalphaolefin (PAO). This material presents interesting friction reducing properties, friction coefficient reaching a value of 0.04 in boundary lubrication. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize nanowires before and after friction. The combination of these techniques gave evidence of MoS2 formation in contact area during friction test. This structural evolution of nanowires explains their good friction reducing properties.