Citation: Pai Yu, Chenchen Wang, Hualin Lin, Sheng Han. A universal strategy based carbonized polymer dots self-assembled supramolecular oleogel lubricants via chain entanglement for friction reduction and anti-wear[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2026, 37(5): 111931. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2025.111931 shu

A universal strategy based carbonized polymer dots self-assembled supramolecular oleogel lubricants via chain entanglement for friction reduction and anti-wear

Pai Yu ^{a, b} ,
Chenchen Wang ^{b, *,} ,
Hualin Lin ^{b, *,} ,
Sheng Han ^{a, b, *,}

a.
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
b.
Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, China

wangchenchen76@163.com

lhl6534@163.com

hansheng654321@sina.com

Received Date: 24 February 2025
Revised Date: 25 August 2025
Accepted Date: 29 September 2025
Available Online: 30 September 2025

Figures(6)

Developing a supramolecular polymer gel based on carbonized polymer dots with highly efficient lubrication properties is very challenging. Here, we obtained a kind of carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) by thermal reflux of long-chain aliphatic amines in halogenated benzene solvents. The CPDs nano-gel achieved high lubrication performance due to entangling effect of long chain and reversible thixotropic behavior after gel formation. Two-dimensional correlation synchronous (2D-COS) showed the CPDs connect small carbon dots into large hydrophobic structures through their own dense chain entanglement, thus trapping oil to form gel. Chain entanglement, as a non-permanent crosslinking, can slide under stress, and this flexible and dynamic characteristic allows it to maintain efficient and long-lasting lubrication without hysteresis during friction. The tribological test results showed a significant reduction of 38.14% in the coefficient of friction and 93.71% in wear scar diameter after lubrication with CPDs nano-gel. Moreover, the serial analysis for the friction interface and computational methodologies revealed that the formation of tribochemical film between friction pairs is the key to reduce wear. This study underscored the possibility of utilizing carbonized polymer dots for self-assembly applications, and we anticipate that supramolecular carbonized polymer dots gels have great potential in lubrication and emission reduction, ultimately contributing to the development of a sustainable society.
- Anti-friction and anti-wear,
- Supramolecular gel,
- Carbonized polymer dots,
- Chain entanglement,
- Lubricant film
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