Tribological Performance of Two Potential Environmentally Friendly Ashless Vegetable Oil Additives

Two potential novel environmentally friendly ashless vegetable oil additives, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole derivatives, di-n-dodecyl-[2-（2-benzothiazolyl）thio]ethylborane （LBN） and di-n-dodecylthio-[2-（2-benzothiazolyl） thio]ethylborane （LBNS）, were synthesized and their tribological performance as additives in rapeseed oil （RSO） was evaluated using a four-ball wear tester. Their anti-corrosive properties and thermal stability were also examined. The worn surface of the steel ball was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）. The results showed that 2-mercaptobenzothiazole derivatives exhibited excellent anti-corrosive property and high thermal stability. Moreover, they both had good load-carrying capacities and anti-wear and friction-reducing properties. The PR values of samples decreased in the following order： LBNS〉 LBN〉RSO. The results of XPS examination illustrated that the excellent tribological behavior of the prepared compounds used as additives in RSO was attributed to the formation of a protective lubrication film on the worn surface, which consisted of an adsorption layer and a reaction layer containing Fe3O4, FeS, Fe2（SO4）3, FeB, and organic nitrogen-containing compounds.