Fatty-acid based comb copolyesters as viscosity Index improvers in lubricants

Abstract

Methyl ricinoleate was functionalized using thiol-ene click chemistry in order to synthesize bio-based comb (co)poly(9-alkyl 12-hydroxystearate)s. The latter were then evaluated as Viscosity Index Improvers in a mineral based lubricant. While most of the poly(9-alkyl 12-hydroxystearate)s investigated behave as thickeners, copolyesters containing 15 to 25 wt% of methyl 9-phenyl ethyl 12-hydroxystearate exhibit a Viscosity Index improver effect, interpreted to a limited solubility of these copolyesters. The effect of these polyesters on the oil viscosity-temperature (V-T) behavior was investigated in the dilute regime of n-dodecane used as a model solvent. An aggregation-disaggregation behavior was assumed to explain the V-T behavior observed with these (co)polyesters.