Purpose The purpose of this paper is to enhance the characteristics of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs). Because these NPs stick together easily and are difficult to distribute evenly, they cannot be used extensively in lubricating oils. Altering TiO2 was recommended as an alternate way for making NPs simpler to disperse. Design/methodology/approach Through dielectric barrier discharge plasma (DBDP)-assisted ball mill diagnostics and modeling of molecular dynamics, TiO2@PEG-400 NPs were produced using the DBDP-assisted ball mill. The NPs’ microstructure was examined using FESEM, TEM, XRD, FT-IR and TG-DSC. Using the CFT-1 reciprocating friction tester, the tribological properties of TiO2@PEG-400 NPs as base oil additives were studied. EDS and XPS were used to examine the surface wear of the friction pair. Findings Tribological properties of the modified NPs are vastly superior to those of the original NPs, and the lipophilicity value of TiO2 NPs was improved by 200%. It was determined through tribological testing that TiO2@PEG-400’s exceptional performance might be attributable to a chemical reaction film made up of TiO2, Fe2O3, iron oxide and other organic chemicals. Originality/value This work describes an approach for preventing the aggregation of TiO2 NPs by coating their surface with PEG-400. In addition, the prepared NPs can enhance the tribological performance of lubricating oil. This low-cost, high-performance lubricant additive has tremendous promise for usage in marine engines to minimize operating costs while preserving navigational safety.