Proper
lubrication is essential to the reliable and efficient operation
of mechanical systems ranging from the industrial to the nanoscale.
Self-lubricating materials that can self-generate and sustain concurrent
ultralow friction and ultralow wear in harsh environments open up
a unique realm that is unattainable by traditional external lubrication
mechanisms, but developing such extraordinary materials has been a
long-standing grand challenge. Here, we devise an unconventional strategy
to construct a dual-phase nanocomposite (DPNC) that comprises a wear-resistant
phase (TiB2) and an internal lubricant source (MoS1.7B0.3). Tribological tests demonstrate simultaneous
ultralow friction coefficient (∼0.03) and ultralow wear rate
(∼10–10 mm3·N–1·m–1) of the synthesized DPNC specimen in
ambient environments; these superb properties remain intact after
the specimen has been annealed at 400 °C in air. First-principles
energetic and stress–strain calculations elucidate atomistic
mechanisms underpinning DPNC TiB2/MoS1.7B0.3 as an ultimate self-lubricating material. This accomplishment
solves the classic lubricity–durability tradeoff dilemma, enabling
advances to meet the most challenging lubrication needs.
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