Nano Suspension Lubricants

Abstract

A method for preparing a nano suspension lubricant comprises providing substantially spherical nano particles of size ranging from about less than 50 nanometers to about 100 nanometers. The method further comprises mixing the nano particles and a surfactant in about 1:1 ratio in a solvent to form a mixture. The solvent is evaporated from the mixture to obtain surface modified nano particles. The surface modified nano particles include the nano particles coated with the surfactant. The method comprises mixing the surface modified nano particles with a lubricating fluid to form the nano suspension lubricant, where the lubricating fluid comprises about 90% to 99% base oil and about 1% to 10% additives.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for preparing a nano suspension lubricant, the method comprising:
 providing substantially spherical nano particles of size ranging from about less than 50 nanometers to about 100 nanometers;   mixing the nano particles and a surfactant in about 1:1 ratio in a solvent to form a mixture;   evaporating the solvent from the mixture to obtain surface modified nano particles, wherein the surface modified nano particles include the nano particles coated with the surfactant; and   mixing the surface modified nano particles with a lubricating fluid to form the nano suspension lubricant, wherein the lubricating fluid comprises about 90% to 99% base oil and about 1% to 10% additives.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mixing the surface modified nano particles with the lubricating fluid includes sonicating the surface modified nano particles in the lubricating fluid in an ultra-sound sonicator at an amplitude of about 50% and a power of about 200 watts. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the sonicating the surface modified nano particles in the lubricating fluid takes place for about 60 minutes, wherein the sonicating is performed in pulse mode with 0.5 second pulse for about 30 minutes and the sonicating is performed in continuous mode for remaining 30 minutes. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mixing the nano particles and the surfactant in the solvent includes stirring the nano particles and the surfactant in the solvent in an ultra-sound sonicator for about 7 to 8 hours. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the evaporating the solvent from the mixture includes allowing the solvent to evaporate from the mixture at room temperature. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the solvent is one of n-hexane, iso octane and toluene. 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nano particles are selected from one of copper, molybdenum disulphide, and tungsten disulphide. 
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is selected from one of lauric acid, sorbitan monooleate, and cetrimonium bromide based on the electronegativity of the surfactant. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the base oil is selected from one of petroleum fractions, mineral oils, crude oils, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the additives in the lubricating fluid are selected from one of antioxidants, detergents, anti-foaming agents, anti-friction agents, anti-wear agents, and a combination thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A nano suspension lubricant comprising:
 a lubricating fluid comprising of about 90% to 99% base oil and about 1% to 10% additives; and   surface modified copper nano particles from about 0.05 weight % to 0.1 weight % dispersed in the lubricating fluid, wherein the surface modified copper nano particles include copper nano particles coated with lauric acid surfactant, wherein the copper nano particles have a size less than about 50 nanometers.   
     
     
         12 . A nano suspension lubricant comprising:
 a lubricating fluid comprising of about 90% to 99% base oil and about 1% to 10% additives; and   surface modified molybdenum disulphide nano particles from about 0.05 weight % to 0.1 weight % dispersed in the lubricating fluid, wherein the surface modified molybdenum disulphide nano particles include molybdenum disulphide nano particles coated with Sorbitan Monooleate surfactant, wherein the molybdenum disulphide nano particles have a size less than about 100 nanometers.   
     
     
         13 . A nano suspension lubricant comprising:
 a lubricating fluid comprising of about 90% to 99% base oil and about 1% to 10% additives; and   surface modified tungsten disulphide nano particles from about 0.05 weight % to 0.1 weight % dispersed in the lubricating fluid, wherein the surface modified tungsten disulphide nano particles include tungsten disulphide nano particles coated with Cetrimonium Bromide surfactant, wherein the tungsten disulphide nano particles have a size less than about 100 nanometers.