Investigation of Graphene Oxide Synthesized from Recycled Battery Waste as a Friction Modifier in Polyalphaolefin Lubricants

This study investigates graphene oxide (GO) derived from recycled graphite in spent dry cell batteries as a friction modifier in polyalphaolefin (PAO)-based lubricants. GO was incorporated at weight fractions of 1, 3, and 5 wt% to evaluate its influence on friction reduction, wear mitigation, and lubrication film stability. The incorporation of GO significantly enhanced the tribological performance of PAO compared with that of the neat base oil. A nonlinear concentration-dependent relationship was observed between the coefficient of friction (CoF) and wear scar diameter (WSD). The 1 wt% GO–PAO formulation exhibited the lowest CoF, achieving approximately a 45% reduction relative to pure PAO, a 54% decrease in WSD, and a 9% improvement in lubricant film stability. This superior friction performance is attributed to the formation of a thin, well-dispersed tribofilm that effectively reduces interfacial shear stress under boundary lubrication conditions. In contrast, the minimum WSD was obtained at 3 wt% GO, displaying that the formation of a thicker or more compact protective layer enhanced the load-bearing capacity. Increasing the concentration to 5 wt% did not yield further improvement, likely due to reduced dispersion efficiency at higher loading levels. Overall, 1 wt% GO demonstrates optimal friction-reducing behavior, while moderate concentrations primarily contribute to enhanced wear resistance, highlighting a concentration-dependent friction–wear trade-off. These findings demonstrate a viable and sustainable pathway for upcycling battery waste into high-value lubricant additives, contributing to the development of multifunctional and environmentally friendly tribological systems.

Battery waste; Friction Modifier; Graphene Oxide; Lubricant; Tribology

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