Copolymers of Castor and Corn Oils with Lauryl Methacrylate as Green Lubricating Additives

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Chemistry, College of Science of Women, University of Baghdad, 10071 Al Jadria, Baghdad, Iraq

2 Department of Chemistry, College of Science for Women, University of Baghdad, 10071 Al Jadria, Baghdad, Iraq

3 Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, Dutsin-Ma Road, P.M.B 2218, Katsina 820001, Nigeria

Abstract

During the last few years, the greener additives prepared from bio-raw materials with low-cost and multifunctional applications have attracted considerable attention in the field of lubricant industry. In the present work, copolymers derived from sunflower and linseed oils with decyl methacrylate were synthesized by a thermal method using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as a radical initiator. Direct polymerization of fatty acid double bonds in the presence of a free radical initiator results in the development of environmentally friendly copolymeric additives (Co-1 and Co-2). Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) were used to characterize the resulting copolymers. Thermal decomposition of copolymers was determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The average molecular weight was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) method. Different concentrations of prepared copolymer as additives vis 1, 2, 3, and 4 (w/v) were used to examine the rheological behavior and performance evaluation of the formulated base oil. The prepared copolymers show good thermal stability. Both prepared polymeric additives (Co-1 and Co-2) are evaluated as pour point depressant and excellent viscosity improver. The base oil blended with Co-1 has higher viscosity index value than the base oil blended with Co-2. The pour point values for the base oil blended with Co-1 and Co-2 are ranging from (-11 to -15 oC) and (-12 to -15 oC), respectively.

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