Sustainable lubricant formulations from natural oils: a short review

Authors: Sharma, Brajendra - Bk; KARMAKAR, GOBINDA - University Of North Bengal; SHAH, RAJ - Koehler Instrument Company, Inc; GHOSH, PRANAB - University Of North Bengal; Sarker, Majher; Erhan, Sevim

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/10/2023
Publication Date: 12/22/2023
Citation: Sharma, B.K., Karmakar, G., Shah, R., Ghosh, P., Sarker, M.I., Erhan, S.Z. 2023. Sustainable lubricant formulations from natural oils: A short review. In Liu, Z.S. and Kraus, G., editors. Green Chemistry Series No. 83: Green Chemistry and Green Materials from Plant Oils and Natural Acids. Green Chemistry Series. United Kingdom. Royal Society of Chemistry. p. 170-193. https://doi.org/10.1039/BK9781837671595-00170.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/BK9781837671595-00170

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Biolubricant formulation from vegetable oils and other natural resources is the most emerging area of research in lubricant industry at the present moment. Vegetable and other natural oils (e.g., microalgae, liquids obtained from pyrolysis of wood biomass) can be used as feedstocks for making lubricant base oils and additives for biolubricants. Although plant based oils have advantages like high viscosity index, high flash points, good antifriction/antiwear properties, biodegradability etc., there are some challenges such as poor oxidative stability, low temperature fluidity, poor hydrolytic stability that need to be overcome. Chemical modification is the way to address these challenges. In this review, we have discussed various chemical routes to synthesize base oils as well as biobased additives for the formulation of a sustainable lubricant.