The rapid dissipation of shear stress and frictional energy in the matrix of polymer-based self-lubricating composites can improve its friction-reduction and anti-wear performances. In this paper, regenerated lignocellulose (RLC) with a flexible architecture was used to assist ball-milling to exfoliate bulk molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) and introduce them into an epoxy (EP) resin matrix to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of the final products. The abundant functional groups (hydroxyl and aldehyde groups) in RLC have an additional reaction with the active hydrogen atoms or epoxy groups in the epoxy resin, improving the curing performance of the EP matrix and enhancing the flexibility and interfacial strength of the carbon fibers/epoxy composites. Due to the simultaneous introduction of rigid MoS₂ nanosheets and flexible plant-fiber constructs in the EP matrix, external stresses can be transferred from the polymer matrix to reinforcement fibers more efficiently. The tensile strength and toughness of the final products were increased by 42.61% and 53.58%, the friction coefficient and wear rate were reduced by 34.78% and 30.77% over the RLC-EP composites. This approach of using RLC to assisted exfoliate MoS₂ nanosheets and building "flexible & rigid" transition framework in EP matrix provides a valuable reference for improving the interfacial strength and friction properties of polymer-based self-lubricating composites.

To enhance the interface bonding of polyimide (PI)/carbon fiber (CF) composites, CFs were functionalized by introducing a polydopamine (PDA) transition layer, whose active groups provide absorption sites for the growth of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanosheets and improve the bonding strength with PI. Uniform and dense MoS₂ nanosheets with thicknesses of 30-40 nm on the surface of the PDA@CF were obtained via a subsequent hydrothermal method. As a result, the interface between the CF and the PI matrix becomes more compact with the help of the PDA transition layer and MoS₂ nanosheets. This is beneficial in forming PI/CF-MoS₂ composites with better thermal stability, higher tensile strength, and enhanced tribological properties. The lubricating and reinforcing effects of the hybrid CF-MoS₂ in the PI composite are discussed in detail. The tensile strength of the PI/CF-MoS₂ composite increases by 43%, and the friction coefficient and the wear rate reduce by 57% and 77%, respectively, compared to those of the pure PI. These values are higher than those of the PI/CF composites without MoS₂ nanosheets. These results indicate that the CF-MoS₂ hybrid material can be used as an additive to improve the mechanical and tribological properties of polymers.