Hydrogenated Farnesene Block Copolymer Viscosity Improver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current viscosity index improvers for lubricating oils do not adequately enhance viscosity index and high-temperature high-shear viscosity, necessitating the development of more effective solutions.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogenated block copolymer comprising a polymer block derived from an aromatic vinyl compound and a polymer block derived from a conjugated diene, with a significant portion of the conjugated diene units being farnesene, is used as a viscosity index improver, blended with a base oil to create an oil composition that improves viscosity index and high-temperature high-shear viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional viscosity index improvers are used, then lubricating oils can be formulated, but the viscosity index and high-temperature high-shear viscosity are not adequately enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the polymer into distinct blocks: a polystyrene block (A) and a polyconjugated diene block (B). This block structure allows each segment to contribute specific properties - the polystyrene block provides viscosity index improvement while the polyconjugated diene block (particularly with farnesene units) enhances high-temperature high-shear viscosity, resolving the contradiction between achieving reliable viscosity performance and maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining different polymer blocks with distinct chemical compositions and properties. The block copolymer consists of a polystyrene block (derived from aromatic vinyl compound) and a polyconjugated diene block (with farnesene units), creating a composite structure that achieves superior viscosity index and high-temperature high-shear viscosity characteristics that neither component could achieve alone
2Reliability
If hydrogenation of conjugated diene units is performed, then high-temperature high-shear viscosity is improved, but the complexity of the production process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the hydrogenation degree of the polyconjugated diene block to be 50 mol% or more of the carbon-carbon double bonds. This specific parameter threshold transforms the polyconjugated diene units into a structure that provides excellent high-temperature high-shear viscosity while maintaining a relatively simple production process through standardized hydrogenation conditions
3Reliability
If farnesene content in the conjugated diene block is increased, then viscosity index improvement is enhanced, but the difficulty of obtaining pure farnesene increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating farnesene units specifically in the polyconjugated diene block (B) rather than distributing them throughout the entire polymer. By setting the farnesene content in this specific block to 40-100% by mass, the invention achieves enhanced viscosity index improvement while localizing the purification challenge to a specific segment of the polymer structure, making the overall process more manageable
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting oil composition exhibits enhanced viscosity index and high-temperature high-shear viscosity, effectively addressing the limitations of existing technologies while being environmentally friendly due to the use of plant-derived farnesene.
Implementation Method 1
the viscosity index improver being excellent in an effect of improving a viscosity index and a high-temperature high-shear viscosity of oils
Implementation Method 2
50 mol% or more of carbon-carbon double bonds in the constitutional unit (b) derived from the conjugated diene being hydrogenated
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a viscosity index improver that is excellent in an effect of improving a viscosity index and a high-temperature high-shear viscosity of oils, etc. The viscosity index improver of the present invention includes a hydrogenated product of a copolymer containing a constitutional unit (a) derived from an aromatic vinyl compound and a constitutional unit (b) derived from a conjugated diene, a content of a constitutional unit (b1) derived from farnesene in a whole amount of the constitutional unit (b) derived from the conjugated diene being from 1 to 100% by mass, and a content of a constitutional unit (b2) derived from a conjugated diene other than farnesene in a whole amount of the constitutional unit (b) derived from the conjugated diene being from 0 to 99% by mass, and 50 mol% or more of carbon-carbon double bonds in the constitutional unit (b) derived from the conjugated diene being hydrogenated.