Sustainable Biocatalytic Synthesis of a Second-Generation Biolubricant

María Claudia Montiel, María Gómez, María Dolores Murcia, Salvadora Ortega-Requena, Fuensanta Máximo and Josefa Bastida ()
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María Claudia Montiel: Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Campus of Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
María Gómez: Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Campus of Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
María Dolores Murcia: Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Campus of Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Salvadora Ortega-Requena: Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Campus of Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Fuensanta Máximo: Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Campus of Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Josefa Bastida: Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, Campus of Espinardo, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-13

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.

Keywords: sustainability; biolubricant; lipase; solvent-free (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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