Dissolution–precipitation approach for long-term stable low-friction composites consisting of mesoporous TiO₂ nanospheres and carbon black in Poly(Vinylidene fluoride) matrix

Low-friction composites with long-term stability based on three-dimensional, mass-producible mesoporous TiO₂ nanospheres (MTNs) with a large surface area and carbon black (CB) dispersed in a poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix were developed via dissolution–precipitation approach. The interaction and miscibility were enhanced by the incorporation of a small amount of CB filler. A long-term test (4 h) indicated that the incorporation of 5% MTN reduced both the friction coefficient (0.480) and the specific wear rate (0.412 × 10⁻⁴ mm³ N⁻¹ m⁻¹) compared with neat PVDF. The friction coefficient (0.446) was further reduced by the addition of CB (MTN_15CB with 15% MTN) owing to the increased fraction of the nonpolar α phase in the PVDF and the good adhesion properties of the composites.