Publication: Sustainable Biocatalytic Synthesis of a Second-Generation Biolubricant
Authors
Montiel, M.C. ; Gómez, M. ; Murcia, M.D. ; Ortega Requena, Salvadora ; Máximo, F. ; Bastida, J.
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Publisher
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DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041615
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info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Description
©<2024>. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
This document is the Published, version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in [Sustainability]. To access the final edited and published work see [https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041615]
Abstract
Background: Biolubricants represent a category of lubricating substances derived from
sustainable sources such as vegetable oils, animal fats, and other bio-based materials. They are considered
more environmentally friendly than mineral-based lubricants because they are biodegradable
and nontoxic. Biolubricants derived from vegetable oils or animal fats were used as first-generation
biolubricants. They have limited performance at extreme temperatures, both high and low, as well as
low oxidative stability. Substitution of the double bonds by branching improves the performance and
stability of the resulting second-generation biolubricants. Methods: In the past, the production of
these compounds has relied on the chemical pathway. This method involves elevated temperatures
and inorganic catalysts, leading to the necessity of additional purification steps, which decreases
environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. A more environmentally friendly alternative,
the enzymatic route, has been introduced, in accordance with the principles of “Green Chemistry”.
Results: In this paper, the esterification of 2-methylhexanoic acid with 2-octyl-1-dodecanol and its
optimization were developed for the first time. The synthesis was conducted within a jacketed batch
reactor connected to a thermostatic bath in a solvent-free reaction medium and using Lipozyme® 435
as biocatalyst. Conclusions: The high viscosity index value of this new hyperbranched ester (>200,
ASTM D2270) suggests that it may be an excellent biolubricant to be used under extreme temperature
conditions. Regarding sustainability, the main green metrics calculated point to an environmentally
friendly process.
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Citation
Sustainability 2024, 16, 1615
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