Modification of epoxidized soybean oil for lubricant formulations with improved oxidative stability and low pour point
Summary
This peer-reviewed study presents a novel chemical modification strategy for epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) to develop biobased lubricants with improved oxidative stability and low-temperature performance. ESO was ring-opened using alcohols in the presence of sulfuric acid and then esterified with acid anhydrides to yield functionalized fluids. These fluids demonstrated improved pour points (as low as –45 °C) and reduced insoluble oxidative deposits when compared to both untreated soybean oil and traditional petroleum-based lubricants.
The work supports the advancement of sustainable materials in industrial applications and provides a rich resource for illustrating core principles of green chemistry, including renewable feedstocks, functional group transformation, and performance-based evaluation of biobased alternatives.
Authors/Contributors:
Hong-Sik Hwang and Sevim Z. Erhan, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Peoria, IL.
Citation:
Hwang, H.-S., & Erhan, S. Z. (2001). Modification of epoxidized soybean oil for lubricant formulations with improved oxidative stability and low pour point. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, 78(12), 1179–1184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0410-0
Use as a Green Chemistry Teaching Resource:
This study serves as a practical and compelling case study for undergraduate or graduate-level courses in green chemistry, polymer chemistry, sustainable materials, or chemical engineering. It can be used to:
1. Illustrate the design and synthesis of value-added products from renewable feedstocks.
2. Compare traditional petroleum-based and biobased materials on a performance and sustainability basis.
3. Introduce analytical techniques (NMR, FTIR, GPC, micro-oxidation testing) within the context of green chemistry.
3. Explore real-world chemical modification strategies aimed at overcoming material property limitations (e.g., oxidative stability and low pour point).
4. Engage students in critical thinking about structure-property relationships and sustainable innovation in the chemical industry.
The work supports the advancement of sustainable materials in industrial applications and provides a rich resource for illustrating core principles of green chemistry, including renewable feedstocks, functional group transformation, and performance-based evaluation of biobased alternatives.
Authors/Contributors:
Hong-Sik Hwang and Sevim Z. Erhan, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Peoria, IL.
Citation:
Hwang, H.-S., & Erhan, S. Z. (2001). Modification of epoxidized soybean oil for lubricant formulations with improved oxidative stability and low pour point. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, 78(12), 1179–1184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0410-0
Use as a Green Chemistry Teaching Resource:
This study serves as a practical and compelling case study for undergraduate or graduate-level courses in green chemistry, polymer chemistry, sustainable materials, or chemical engineering. It can be used to:
1. Illustrate the design and synthesis of value-added products from renewable feedstocks.
2. Compare traditional petroleum-based and biobased materials on a performance and sustainability basis.
3. Introduce analytical techniques (NMR, FTIR, GPC, micro-oxidation testing) within the context of green chemistry.
3. Explore real-world chemical modification strategies aimed at overcoming material property limitations (e.g., oxidative stability and low pour point).
4. Engage students in critical thinking about structure-property relationships and sustainable innovation in the chemical industry.
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