Thermo-oxidation, friction-reducing and physicochemical properties of ricinoleic acid based-diester biolubricants

Abstract A major global effort is currently underway to reduce dependence on petroleum products and minimize the impact of their derivatives on the environment. Plant oils are being investigated as a potential source of environmentally favorable lubricants given their combination of biodegradability, renewability and excellent lubrication performance. Low oxidation and thermal stability, poor low-temperature properties and a narrow range of available viscosities, however, limit their potential application as industrial biolubricants. The chemical modification of plant fatty acid structures has great potential for improving the physicochemical and friction-reducing properties of these compounds. This paper presents the thermo-oxidation, friction-reducing and physicochemical properties of a series of diester compounds derived from ricinoleic acid as biolubricant basestocks. The results indicated that among the synthesized ricinoleic acid-based diester compounds, octyl 10,12-dihydroxy-9-behenoxystearate 16 has the lowest pour point (−53.26 °C), while octyl 10,12-dihydroxy-9-octyloxystearate 10 has the highest onset temperature (128.98 °C) and the lowest volatile loss and quantity of insoluble deposits (68.78% and 77.25%, respectively). The friction-reducing results indicate an improvement occurred in the presence of longer mid-chain esters and an increased polarity in the ester functional group. The data indicate that some synthesized derivatives have significant potential as environmentally friendly biolubricant basestocks.