Estudo da influência estrutural nas propriedades Físico-Químicas em moléculas de biolubrificantes derivados dos ácidos graxos do óleo da mamona (Ricinus communis)

Abstract

The term biolubricant refers to all lubricants that can be quickly biodegradable and nontoxic to humans and the environment in general. Nowadays, scientific studies in this field are common because this material are of great importance due to the fact that they have unique qualities and singularities such as: high viscosity index, low volatility, and a good lubricity power. Besides that, using these raw materials can expressively contribute to the sustainable development. As a consequence, new work possibilities can be seen, for example synthesis, purification or secondary work as antioxidants. This present work has as its main goal the production of bio lubricants starting from structural changes in castor oil fatty acids, in order to be less dependent of mineral materials since they are toxic and scarce. To reach this general goal, this work was split in three stages. In the first stage, the castor oil suffered esterification; to do this, it was used molar ratios of raw materials, 1-octanol, and 2-ethyl-hexanol in a molar proportion of 1:4, respectively 5% in mass of catalyzer (amberlyst 15) in relation to the starting material, at 90 ⁰C, and with N2 being pumped. It was obtained over 95% conversions in this stage. The second stage consisted in submit the fatty acids to epoxidation with stoichiometry of 1:1:4 referring to the number of moles of ester, formic acid, and hydrogen peroxide; using toluene in the organic phase. This reaction happened at room temperature and in 24 hours. After doing a purification reaction, the product that was obtained was analyzed by an NMR 1H. High conversion values, over 90%, and selectivity values, even 100%, were reached. Finally, in the third stage, the oxirane rings formed on the esters that suffered epoxidation were opened in the presence of a acid catalyzer (PTSA) which inserted weak nucleophiles, such as 1-octanol and 2-ethyl-hexanol, producing the bio lubricant. The reaction was done at 90 ⁰C for 4 hours, with N2 being pumped in the system. The stoichiometric relation was 1:3 of the product that suffered esterification and epoxidation with the alcohols, the mass of the catalyzer was 10% the mass of the reactant. After finishind the stages, physical chemical parameters of the synthesized bio lubricants were determined. It was concluded that the obtained results have potential to be produced in a large scale since they have excellent cold properties, and good lubricant power to automobile motors.