ARTICLE　HIGHLIGHTS　•　The　results　of　friction　and　wear　tests　show　that　when　ZIF-8　is　used　as　a　lubricant　additive　for　lithium-based　grease,　the　best　antifriction　and　antiwear　effects　can　be　achieved　when　the　mass　fraction　is　2.0　wt.　%.　•　Experimental　and　simulation　results　show　that　ZIF-8　with　a　mass　fraction　of　2.0　wt.　%　reduces　the　friction　coefficient　μ　of　lithium-based　grease　by　about　17%　and　reduces　wear　by　about　40%.　•　Molecular　dynamics　simulations　show　that　ZIF-8　mainly　reduces　friction　and　resists　wear　by　increasing　the　load-bearing　capacity　of　the　grease　and　the　role　of　ball　bearings.　Additionally,　as　the　load　increases,　ZIF-8　particles　undergo　a　certain　amount　of　deformation,　gradually　weakening　the　action　of　the　ball　bearings.　©　2024　Author(s).