Controllable interface-tailored strategy to reduce the nanotribological properties of TiCTby depositing MoSusing atomic layer deposition.

TiCTMXene has attracted widespread attention in lubrication owing to its unique structure and surface properties. However, the inferior nanotribological properties of TiCTstill limit its applications in nano lubricants. Herein, we propose a controllable interface-tailored strategy to reduce the nanotribological properties of TiCTby depositing MoSnano-sheet on its surface using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The nanotribological properties of the MoS/TiCTnanocomposites synthesized by ALD are studied by atomic force microscope for the first time. At the optimal 20 ALD MoScycles, the nanofriction of MoS/TiCThas been reduced by 57%, 46%, and 44% (at 5, 10, and 15 nN load, respectively), while the adhesion has been reduced by 59%, compared to the original TiCT. The results can contribute to understanding of the nanotribological mechanisms of TiCTcomposites and provide the potential prospects for TiCTas a nanoscale adjustable lubricant.