Publication Type : Journal Article
Publisher : Elsevier BV
Source : Fuel
Url : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2026.139331
Keywords : Cashew Nut Shell Oil, Chemical Modification, Green additives, Mahua oil, Nanoparticles
Campus : Amritapuri
School : School of Physical Sciences
Department : Chemistry
Year : 2026
Abstract : Amid the global shift toward sustainable materials, the present study develops a high-performance biolubricant from non-edible oils. Mahua oil (MO), known for its lubricity and biodegradability but limited by poor cold-flow and oxidative stability, has been transesterified and epoxidized to yield modified Mahua oil (MMO). Blending MMO with Cashew Nut Shell Oil (CNSO) at an optimized 80:20 ratio improved low-temperature fluidity. Polymeric additives-styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA), and oleic-acid-functionalized nanoparticles (Ag, ZnO, hBN) have been incorporated to enhance rheological and tribological performance. The optimized formulation (MMO-CNSO + 2.5 wt% SBR + 0.3 wt% hBN) exhibits a 75% rise in viscosity at 100 °C, a 13 °C reduction in pour point, and a 22% decrease in wear scar diameter, with a stable friction coefficient of 0.0294 and 62% lower oxidative thickening compared to MO. The synergistic modification establishes a sustainable pathway for efficient, eco-friendly biolubricants comparable to commercial mineral oils.
Cite this Research Publication : Pranav Prasannakumar, Sabarinath Sankarannair, P.H. Harikrishna, S. Pranav, A. Ardra Lekshmi, S. Smitha Chandran, Rani Santhakumari, S.N. Jyothi, Hybrid biolubricant formulation from chemically modified non-edible oils reinforced with green additives for enhanced tribological, rheological, and thermal performance, Fuel, Elsevier BV, 2026, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2026.139331
