Facile synthesis of graphene, graphene derivatives and abrasive nanoparticles and their various uses, including as tribologically-beneficial lubricant additives

A lubricating composition for a mechanical system comprising:

• a base lubricant;
• and
• at least one carbon-containing additive that forms a tribologically-effective amount of at least one graphitic carbon-containing structure when the lubricating composition is exposed to heat sufficient to create locally pyrolitic conditions within a mechanical system in which it is utilized,
• wherein the graphitic carbon-containing structure comprises one or more surface-graphitized abrasive nanoparticles comprising at least one non-carbon hetero-atom enveloped by an outer shell comprising substantially carbon,
• wherein the graphitic carbon-containing structure comprises a nano-polishing agent configured to remove substantially all of the asperities from an internal friction surface of the mechanical system.

A method of manufacturing a lubricating composition for a mechanical system comprising:

• a) refluxing a reaction mixture comprising at least one solvent and at least one carbonaceous material promoting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formation under conditions that inhibit complete combustion of the carbonaceous material;
• b) thereafter collecting vapors produced by the reflux of the reaction mixture;
• c) directing the vapors to a substrate, whereupon graphene is deposited on the surface of the substrate;
• d) recovering graphene from the surface of the substrate;
• and
• e) combining at least some of the recovered graphene with a base lubricant to form a lubricating composition for a mechanical system.

A method of manufacturing a lubricating composition for a mechanical system comprising:

• a) refluxing a reaction mixture comprising at least one solvent, at least one oxidizer and at least one compound promoting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formation under conditions to prevent the complete combustion of the carbon source into carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide;
• b) thereafter collecting a vapor stream produced by the reflux of the reaction mixture;
• c) thereafter directing the vapor stream to a substrate, whereupon graphene oxide is deposited on the surface of the substrate;
• d) recovering graphene oxide from the surface of the substrate;
• and
• e) combining at least some of the recovered graphene oxide with a base lubricant to form a lubricating composition for a mechanical system
• a base lubricant;
• and
• graphene oxide, wherein the graphene oxide was formed prior to combination with the base lubricant.

A lubricating composition for a mechanical system comprising:

• a base lubricant;
• and
• one or more surface-graphitized abrasive nanoparticles comprising at least one non-carbon hetero-atom enveloped by an outer shell comprising substantially carbon
• Bucky-diamonds, wherein at least one of the Bucky-diamonds comprises iron or an iron-containing molecule.