TY - JOUR AU - Zhang, Zhongpan AU - Fan, Xiaoqiang AU - Hua, Guoshuang AU - Zang, Chao AU - Wang, Wei AU - Zhu, Minhao PY - 2026 TI - Oil microdroplet-containing epoxy composite coatings enhanced via hydrogen bonds for long-lasting lubrication protection JO - Friction SN - 2223-7690 SP - 9441143 VL - 14 IS - 6 AB - Improving the oil retention capacity while maintaining mechanical stability remains pivotal in the development of advanced oil-containing composite coatings. In this study, oxidized graphene-functionalized composite lithium soap fibers (CLF/PG), which exhibit high oil affinity, were utilized to form a hydrogen bond network with epoxy resin (EP), constructing an effective oil retention network. By integrating dynamic micellar loading–desorption technology with a dual-spray gun system, we achieved uniform dispersion of oil microdroplets (G2825) within the oil retention network, ultimately resulting in a composite coating (C-G/EP). Notably, the 1.0 wt% C-G/EP sample exhibited a wear rate of only 0.212×10−5 mm3/(N·m) after 80,000 friction cycles—a remarkable 98.14% reduction compared with that of the EP sample. Concurrently, the system maintained a stable average friction coefficient of ~0.031. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that oil microdroplet integration within the hydrogen-bonded network simultaneously increased the bulk and shear moduli while reducing the Young’s modulus. The modulus reconfiguration facilitates a transition from rigid contact to microelastic deformation behavior at friction interfaces. This deformation behavior, synergizing with the load-bearing abilities of composite lithium soap fibers (CLFs) and aminated graphene oxide (PG), enhances the strength of the lubrication film, thereby shifting the lubrication state of C-G/EP from boundary lubrication to elastohydrodynamic lubrication. This work provides fundamental insights for designing high-performance self-lubricating coatings based on liquid fillers. UR - https://doi.org/10.26599/FRICT.2025.9441143 DO - 10.26599/FRICT.2025.9441143