Development of biolubricants from vegetable oils via chemical modification

In response to the increasing environmental pollution concern and depleting petroleum reserves, bio-based lubricants have received a great deal of interest as a substitute for mineral oil-based lubricants. Biolubricants have a number of advantages over mineral lubricants, including the high biodegradability, low toxicity, excellent lubrication performance, and minimal impact on human health/environment. This paper reviewed the most recent advancements in the synthesis of biolubricants from vegetable oils through chemical modification methods such as esterification/transesterification, estolide formation, and epoxidation of vegetable oils.

Graphical abstractThree chemical modifications: red, green and blue solid arrows represent the pathway of esterification/transesterification, estolide formation, and epoxidation/ring opening, respectively.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide