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This study aims to explore the synthesis and tribological performances of di-n-octyl sebacate (DOS) synthesized with spherical nano-MoS₂/sericite (SMS) and carboxylated SMS (CSMS) as catalysts.

SMS and CSMS were used as esterification catalysts to synthesize DOS from sebacic acid and n-octanol. The two catalysts were in situ dispersed in the synthesized DOS after the reaction to form suspensions. The tribological performances of the two suspensions after 20 days of storage were studied.

CSMS was more stably dispersed in DOS than SMS, and they reduced friction by 55.6% and 22.2% and wear by 51.3% and 56.5%, respectively. Such results were mainly caused by the COOH on CSMS, which was more conducive to improving the dispersion and friction reduction of CSMS than wear resistance. Another possible reason was the difference between the dispersion amounts of CSMS and SMS in DOS. The sericite of SMS was converted into SiO₂ to enhance wear resistance, while that of CSMS only partially generated SiO₂, and the rest still remained on the surface to reduce friction.

This work provides a more effective SMS catalytical way for DOS synthesis than the traditional inorganic acid catalytical method. SMS does not need to be separated after reaction and can be dispersed directly in DOS as a lubricant additive. Replacing SMS with CSMS can produce a more stable suspension and reduce friction significantly. This work combined the advantages of surface carboxylation modification and in situ catalytic dispersion and provided alternatives for the synthesis of DOS and the dispersion of MoS₂-based lubricant additives.