Chemically modified Jatropha curcas oil for biolubricant applications

Nurazira Nor,Jumat Salimon,Nadia Salih

doi:10.2298/hemind200809009n

Nurazira Nor, Jumat Salimon + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2298/hemind200809009n

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Abstract

Jatropha curcas oil is one of interesting renewable resources for preparation of biolubricants. However, direct application of this oil as a biolubricant is restricted due to its low oxidative stability. This drawback can be overcome by molecule structural redesign through a chemical modification process at its unsaturated functional groups. Jatropha curcas oil was modified via epoxidation, ring opening and esterification processes. Its conversion to the epoxidized oil was performed by using in situ performic acid as a catalyst, then reaction with oleic acid in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid as a catalyst in the ring opening process. The final esterification process with oleic acid was catalyzed by sulfuric acid. Molecular structures of the modified oil were determined by measurements of the oxirane oxygen content and by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR and 13C NMR) spectroscopy analyses. The results showed that the oxidative stability, viscosity, flash point and pour point of the final product were significantly improved. In specific, the ring opening and esterification processes inducing branching and bending in the final oil molecular structure have resulted in the improved viscosity index of 135, the pour point of -29?C and the increased flash point of 250?C.

Highlights

In the last decade, a variety of new technologies have emerged aiming at development of products from renewable sources. to the reason is in increasing concerns over the use of petroleum-based products, which causes progressive reduction of fossil fuel reserves and has negative impacts on the environment [1,2]
Performic acid was formed in situ after formic acid reacted with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which acts as an oxygen donor while formic acid as the active oxygen carrier [39]
The obtained epoxidized J. curcas oil (EJCO) was submitted to the ring opening reaction with oleic acid to produce J. curcas oil tetraesters (JCOT)

Summary

Introduction

A variety of new technologies have emerged aiming at development of products from renewable sources. to the reason is in increasing concerns over the use of petroleum-based products, which causes progressive reduction of fossil fuel reserves and has negative impacts on the environment [1,2]. Reduction of petroleum oil resources and increasing greenhouse gas emissions give a clear picture of the importance of the move towards sustainable development [5] where the use of renewable sources in industry is vital. Such examples are studies on plant oils as a feedstock in the manufacture of products for daily use. Plant oil-based biolubricants such as Jatropha curcas (J. curcas) oil and its derivatives have excellent lubricity and biodegradability properties for which they are being more closely examined as a base stock for lubricants and functional fluids [7,8] These oils exhibit high viscosity index [9]. Plant oil formulations provide many challenges such as low oxidative stability [2,10] and poor low temperature properties [5,11]

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