Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXenes were incorporated into two different ionic liquids (ILs), P8881(BuO)₂PO₂ (denoted as IL1) and P8881(MeO)₂PO₂ (denoted as IL2), to evaluate their potential as lubricants. Their tribological performance was investigated using a Mini-Traction Machine (MTM) tribometer, where tribofilm formation was monitored in situ and further characterized ex situ by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and laser microscopy. The results reveal that MXene-modified ILs improve interfacial frictional behavior, although their effectiveness strongly depends on the testing conditions. MTM tests show that under mild conditions, MXene addition may hinder lubricant film formation and alter viscosity, resulting in inferior performance. By contrast, under harsh conditions (low speed, high load, and elevated temperature), MXene-modified ILs significantly reduce the coefficient of friction (COF). In particular, IL1 containing 1 wt.% MXenes exhibits optimal performance at 80 °C, achieving an ~80.5% reduction in COF compared with the neat IL. TEM analyses confirm that MXenes actively integrate into the amorphous tribofilm, preferentially accumulating and aligning within surface defects, which contributes to friction reduction. These findings demonstrate the effective lubrication of MXene nanosheets in ILs and underscore the potential of MXene-modified ILs as advanced lubricants.

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