Wear and friction of Ni-P electroless composite coating including inorganic fullerene-WS2 nanoparticles

It was proposed that nanoparticles of layered compounds are not stable in the planar form and they spontaneously fold into fullerene-like structures and nanotubes (IF phases). Considering the spherical topology of the IF nanoparticles, it was proposed that they could ideally suit tribological applications. In this paper the authors demonstrate the preparation of a metal matrix IF-nanoparticles composite coating by electroless code-position. It was found that the IF-nanoparticle was able to significantly improve the tribological characteristics of the electroless composite coatings. Moreover, the spherical IF nanoparticles can promote easier sliding between the two mating metal surface.