Dodecylmethacrylate - olive oil copolymers as potential biodegradable pour point depressant for lubricating oil

The application of greener additives based on vegetable oils has attracted considerable interest due to their biocompatibility and enhanced additive performances compared to conventional additives. Keeping this view in mind and in continuation of our explorative studies on lube oil additives, copolymer of dodecylmethacrylate with olive oil have been synthesized in a focused mono-mode microwave oven using BZP (benzoyl peroxide) as radical initiator. Characterization of the prepared polymers has been performed by spectral (NMR, IR), and SEC-GPC analysis. Performance evaluation of the polymers as pour point depressant (PPD), and viscosity modifier (VM) /viscosity index improver (VII) in different base oils (mineral) have been performed by standard ASTM methods. Biodegradability of the prepared additives was tested against fungal pathogens and microorganisms by disc diffusion (DD) method and by soil burial test (SBT) method respectively. Thermal stability of each of them has been evaluated and included. The multifunctional performances have been compared and reported. The copolymers showed excellent PPD performance along with VM properties and potential biodegradability.