Preparation and Tribological Properties of Graphene/TiO₂ Ceramic Films

Single and multiple-layer graphene/TiO₂ (GT) ceramic films were obtained by sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope, and UV-vis diffuse reflection spectroscope were used to investigate the structure. The tribological properties of GT ceramic films were investigated using a reciprocating ball-on-plate configuration. Interestingly, the GT ceramic films were decorated by graphene nanoplatelets on surface and at interlayer. After heat treatment, graphene kept non-oxidized. The GT ceramic films showed excellent antifriction properties that the minimum frictional coefficient is less than 0.1. As graphene amount increased, low friction coefficient and higher wear resistance were observed. The GT ceramic films showed the excellent wear resistant properties after sliding for 36 000 cycles.