Sunflower and Linseed Oils with Decyl Methacrylate Based Copolymers as Green Lubricating Additives

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 through the double bonds of the fatty acid chain in the presence of a free radical initiator leads to the formation of ecofriendly copolymeric additives (P1 and P2). The copolymers were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR). 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 copolymer acts as an excellent viscosity improver and better pour point depressant.