Photothermal effect of graphene oxide for 3D hybrid composites achieving controllable friction.

The friction coefficients of composites prepared by traditional fillers and structure design are usually uncontrollable, which gradually cannot meet the requirements of intelligent response behavior in the modern manufacturing industry. Hence, an epoxy, graphene oxide, and paraffin wax composite (GPEP@ PW) with a network-like sandwich structure was prepared by a four-step method (template method-vacuum impregnation-de-template-vacuum impregnation). Due to sensitive photothermal conversion of GO and excellent ability to control heat (absorption and release) of paraffin wax, GPEP@ PW can respond to near-infrared light to realize the real-time conversion of friction coefficient (0.052 and 0.062), while the wear rate was reduced by two orders of magnitude rate (10−4 to 10−6 mm3/N·m). The light response behavior of tribology under different near-infrared intensities was studied. This strategy is simple and versatile, providing a new idea for the design and preparation of light stimulus-responsive materials to achieve smart tribological properties. [Display omitted] • Ternary hybrid composite with 3D sandwich structure was prepared by a four-step method. • Real-time controllable friction was achieving by structural functionalized photothermal conversion of GO. • The COF changed between 0.052 and 0.062 with NIR switching on and off. • Extremely low wear rate (3.33 × 10−6 mm3/N.m) was got by synergy in GO and paraffin wax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]