Characterization of bio-lubricants with nanoparticles additives

It is well known that lubricating oils reduce the friction coefficient between two surfaces in contact. Since petroleum lubricants are toxic and have a low biodegradability, they are typically not appropriate for the environment. As a result, as public worries about a pollution-free environment grow, so does the demand for lubricants that are acceptable to the environment. The primary rationale for utilizing vegetable oils in forthcoming bio-lubricant formulations is their high lubricating performance, low toxicity, sustainable, and biodegradability. Plant oils hold great potential as a foundational fluid for bio-lubricants, since their synthetic and vegetable oil-based esters provide the most environmentally friendly option for creating lubricants. In this study, Jatropha and Jojoba raw oil were chemically modified via epoxidation followed by transesterification to produce bio-lubricants. Thus, the aim of this work is to develop a bio-lubricant from jatropha and jojoba methyl ester, further adding nanoparticles multiwalled nanotubes and titanium dioxide for improvement of tribological properties. The chemical modification of the jatropha and jojoba oil results in a decrease in iodine value, resulting in the breaking of carbon bonds. Viscosity tests were performed using the Anton Par MCR 92 Rheometer, with temperature ranging from 30°C to 80°C. Thermal stability measurements of bio-lubricants were performed using PerkinElmer’s Thermogravimetric analyzer − 4000 instrument and thermal degradation temperature for Epoxidized Jatropha–sulfuric acid, Epoxidized Jatropha–hydrochloric acid, Epoxidized Jojoba–sulfuric acid and Epoxidized Jojoba–Hydrochloric acid samples are 238°C, 224°C, 230°C, and 244°C, respectively. The 94.68% and 79.85% reduction in wear was obtained for Epoxidized Jojoba with hydrochloric acid, titanium dioxide and epoxidized Jatropha with sulfuric acid, multiwalled carbon nanotubes in comparison with their epoxidized samples. The coefficient of friction of Epoxidized Jatropha with sulfuric acid, multiwalled carbon nanotubes and Epoxidized Jojoba with Hydrochloric acid, Titanium dioxide sample was found to be 0.061 and 0.059, respectively.