Location: Bio-oils Research
2022 Annual Report
Accomplishments
1. Improved production of industrially important hydroxy acids from domestic agricultural feedstocks. Hydroxy acids are used in a wide range of industrial products such as resins, waxes, nylons, plastics, lubricants, cosmetics, and additives in coatings and paints. Commercial hydroxy fatty acids from agricultural sources are only available from castor oil which is primarily imported from India. ARS researchers in Peoria, Illinois, have developed an economical catalytic process to produce hydroxy fatty acids from any agriculturally sourced vegetable oil. This new method will allow more types of hydroxy fatty acids to be developed without having to invest significant amounts of funds into lengthy hydroxy acid plant breeding programs. This work will also help replace imported hydroxy fatty acids obtained from imported castor oil, as United States farmers will be able to supply the world’s hydroxy market with traditional U.S. based oil using this technology. These new materials are beneficial to farmers, consumers, and retailers because they are environmentally friendly, expand utilization of U.S. based crops such as soybean and sunflower, and enhance economic security for rural communities.
2. Developed branched estolides as a green motor oil lubricant. By 2028, the worldwide lubricants demand is expected to reach 38.1 million metric tons. Green lubricants are needed to meet this demand while reducing reliance on petroleum and mitigating associated climate impacts. ARS researchers in Peoria, Illinois, have developed branched estolides from previously developed ARS branched fatty acid technology. This new green lubricant was developed specifically for automobile engines. This lubricant has surprisingly excellent properties that allow these materials to perform better in cold weather applications and to have an extended use life as compared to traditional petroleum motor oils. These new materials are beneficial to farmers, consumers, and retailers because they are environmentally friendly, expand utilization of soybean and sunflower oil, and enhance economic security for rural communities.
Review Publications
Evangelista, R.L., Isbell, T.A., Todd, J., Cermak, S.C. 2022. Euphorbia lagascae seed oil obtained by pre-pressing and solvent extraction. Industrial Crops and Products. 180. Article 114799. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.114799.
Bantchev, G.B., Cermak, S.C. 2022. Correlating viscosity of 2-ethylhexyl oleic estolide esters to their molecular weight. Fuel. 309. Article 122190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2021.122190.
Ivey, A., Talbert, J., Evangelista, R.L., Vorst, K., Curtzwiler, G. 2021. Influence of a hydrocarbon side chain on the performance of Physaria fendleri-Castor oil polyurethane packaging adhesives. Cleaner Engineering and Technology. 4. Article 100216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clet.2021.100216.
Yosief, H.O., Sarker, M.I., Bantchev, G.B., Dunn, R.O., Cermak, S.C. 2022. Physico-chemical and tribological properties of isopropyl-branched chicken fat. Fuel. 316. Article 123293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.123293.
Biresaw, G., Chen, Y., Chen, L., Ngo, H., Wagner, K., Vermillion, K., Cermak, S.C. 2022. Iso-oleic estolide products with superior cold flow properties. Industrial Crops and Products. 182. Article 114857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.114857.
Biswas, A., Cheng, H.N., Evangelista, R.L., Hojilla-Evangelista, M.P., Boddu, V.M., Kim, S. 2020. Evaluation of composite films containing poly(vinyl alcohol) and cotton gin trash. Journal of Polymers and the Environment. 28:1998-2007. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-020-01742-7.
Doll, K.M., Cermak, S.C. 2022. Selective electrochemical oxidation of alcohols catalyzed by partially biobased TEMPO analogs. ChemistrySelect. 7(29). Article e202201736. https://doi.org/10.1002/slct.202201736.
