Isodecyl acrylate - olive oil copolymers as potential biodegradable additive for lubricating oil

Abstract

The use of greener additives based on vegetable oils in the formulation of bio-lubricant has attracted considerable interest due to their biocompatibility and enhanced multifunctional performances compared to conventional additives. Working in this direction and in an anticipation of introducing biodegradability in to the acrylate based additive system, copolymers of isodecyl acrylate with olive oil have been synthesized by thermal method using BPO (benzoyl peroxide) as radical initiator. Characterization of the prepared polymers has been performed by spectral (NMR, IR), and SEC-GPC analysis. Performance evaluation of the polymers as pour point depressant (PPD), and viscosity modifier/viscosity index improver (VII) in different base oils (mineral) have been performed by standard ASTM methods. Biodegradability of the prepared additives was tested against fungal pathogens and microorganisms by disc diffusion (DD) method and by soil burial test (SBT) method respectively. Thermal stability of each of them has been evaluated and included. The multifunctional performances have been compared and reported. The copolymers showed potential multifunctional additive performance as viscosity modifier and pour point depressant along with excellent biodegradability.