Size Effect of Fe3O4 Nanoparticles on Magnetism and Dispersion Stability of Magnetic Nanofluid

It is well known that magnetic nanofluids are widely applied in various fields ranging from heat transfer to miniature cooling, and from damping to sealing, due to the mobility and magnetism under magnetic field. Herein, the PFPE-oil based magnetic nanofluids with superior magnetization and dispersion stability were obtained via regulating reaction temperature. The structures of particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The size effects of particles on the magnetism and coating effect of particles, and on the stability and saturation magnetization of the fluids were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and density instrument, respectively. The results indicate that the impurity phase FeOOH only appear in the sample prepared at 18°C and the average size of Fe3O4 nanoparticles reduces from 120 to 20 nm with raising reaction temperature. The saturation magnetization of Fe3O4 particles increases firstly and then reduces with increasing particle size, which is affected by the thickness of magnetic dead layer and impurity phase FeOOH. The Fe3O4 particles could be chemically coated by PFPE-acids, and the coated mass is a little affected by particle size. The stability of the nanofluids lowers while the saturation magnetization increases firstly and then decrease with increasing particle size. At reaction temperature of 60°C, Fe3O4 particles of 25 nm and the nanofluids with superior stability and saturation magnetization were obtained. Our results indicate that the control of nanoparticles size by regulating reaction temperature can be a useful strategy for preparing magnetic nanofluids with desirable properties for various potential applications.

Study on tribological properties of nano lubricating oil blends for diesel engines

This paper is to evaluate and compare the tribological properties of lubricating oil blends added with nano graphene and lubricating oil blends added with cerium oxide (CeO2) on the key friction pairs of the diesel engines. The dispersion stability is the premise of studying the tribological properties. In this paper, nano-CeO2 particles were self-made and high-quality nano-graphene was purchased. The dispersion stability of the two nanomaterials in lubricating oil was studied after the same modification respectively. According to the working conditions of the cylinder liner and the piston ring, the friction and wear tests of the lubricating oil blends added with the modified nanomaterials were carried out at the different temperatures. The results showed that the oleic acid and the stearic acid modified the two nanomaterials successfully. The dispersion stability of the modified nanomaterials in lubricating oil was improved. The dispersion stability of the lubricating oil blends added with graphene before and after modification was slightly higher than that of lubricating oil blends added with CeO2 before and after modification, respectively. At the high temperature, the anti-friction property of the two nano lubricating oil blends was similar. At the ambient temperature, lubricating oil blends added with modified CeO2 did not play a role in reducing friction, while lubricating oil blends added with modified graphene had the effect of reducing friction. Whether at ambient temperature or at the high temperature, the anti-wear property lubricated with lubricating oil blends added with modified CeO2 within the right concentration range was better than that lubricated with lubricating oil blends added with modified graphene.

Production, deformation and magnetorheological characteristics of the alginate/chitosan hydrogel magnetic microspheres

To improve dispersion stability and magnetorheological (MR) characteristics of carbonyl iron (CI) particles, we proposed novel hydrogel magnetic microspheres (MPs) dual-coated with alginate (AL) and chitosan (CTS) for the first time. The double-network structures formed by biological crosslinking and chelation reactions are capable to enhance its own structural stability and mechanical properties. The structural characterization, MR properties, and dispersion stability for different MPs were investigated. Additionally, the swelling behaviors were studied by swelling the dried MPs in the deionized water and sodium chloride solution, respectively. The results showed that the AL/CTS hydrogel core/shell MPs displayed the advantages of simple manufacturing, superior MR properties and deformability compared to pure micron-sized CI particles, indicating the improved dispersion stability of the MR fluids compared to that of the pure CI particles-based MR fluids. The introduction of double network structures with natural biopolymers will provide a new thought for the development of MR materials.

Study on Dispersion Stability and Friction Characteristics of C60 Nanomicrosphere Lubricating Additives for Improving Cutting Conditions in Manufacturing Process

Antifriction lubrication is an important research hotspot in the manufacturing field. A high-performance lubricating additive is of great significance for condition monitoring in the metal cutting process system. To improve cutting conditions in manufacturing process, we study the dispersion stability and tribological properties of fullerene nanoparticles in HM32 antiwear lubricating fluid. Fullerene nanoparticles are fully integrated into HM32 antiwear lubricating fluid by electromagnetic stirring and ultrasonic oscillation. The dispersion stability of fullerene nanoparticles in HM32 antiwear lubricating fluid was comprehensively studied by microscope scanning experiment, static sedimentation experiment, and absorption experiment. The four-ball friction experiment was operated to investigate the extreme pressure property and tribological property of lubricating fluids with fullerene concentration ranging from 100 ppm to 1000 ppm. The results show that fullerene nanoparticle can significantly improve the extreme pressure property and wear resistance of HM32 basic lubricating fluid. Meanwhile, we found that an excessively high concentration of fullerene nanoparticles will increase the friction and wear of the four-ball friction pair. The best concentration of fullerene nanoparticles is 200 ppm. When the fullerene concentration reaches 200 ppm, the maximum nonsintering load is significantly increased, and the friction coefficient and the steel ball wear scar diameter are significantly reduced.

Preparation and Tribological Properties of Lanthanum Stearate Modified Lubricating Oil for Wire Rope in a Mine Hoist

In view of the serious friction and wear on the surface of a hoisting wire rope caused by the failure of lubrication under severe hoisting conditions, a study on the tribological characteristics of lanthanum stearate modified lubricating oil (LSMLO) was carried out. First, lanthanum stearate was prepared by the saponification reaction, and its surface morphology, chemical structure, thermal stability, and dispersion stability in IRIS-550A lubricating oil (IRIS) for wire rope were analyzed. Then, the tribological properties of LSMLO were investigated through four-ball friction tests and sliding wear tests of wire ropes. The results show that stearic acid almost completely reacts to produce lanthanum stearate, which has good thermal stability and a disordered layered structure. With the help of oleic acid, the dispersion stability of lanthanum stearate in IRIS can be significantly improved. The four-ball friction tests show that the optimal addition amount of lanthanum stearate in IRIS is 0.2 wt.%, and the CoF and wear scar diameter are reduced by about 35% and 25% respectively when lubricated with LSMLO compared to that with IRIS. LSMLO can better reduce the wear of the wire rope under different sliding speeds and contact loads than IRIS, and it exhibits improved anti-friction and anti-wear properties under high speed and low load.