Plant-Based Polymer Lubricant Additives for Solubility and Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lubricating oil additives face issues with solubility in oil and lack of friction reduction ability, particularly when high aromatic vinyl compound content is present, and they often use petroleum-derived monomers, which are not environmentally friendly.
Innovation Solution
A polymer comprising structural units derived from plant-based monomers, such as myrcene, and (meth)acryloyl group-containing compounds, with a specific content and molecular weight range, enhancing solubility and friction reduction when added to lubricating oils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the content of structural units derived from aromatic vinyl compounds is increased, then the polymer can be used as a lubricating oil additive, but the solubility in oil decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by specifying that structural units from conjugated dienes must constitute 40-80 mass% and structural units from aromatic vinyl compounds must constitute 20-60 mass%, while controlling the weight average molecular weight to 5,000-500,000. These parameter optimizations resolve the contradiction by achieving both lubricating performance and oil solubility through precise compositional control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite polymer structure combining multiple structural units (conjugated diene units and aromatic vinyl compound units) in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the polymer to simultaneously achieve lubricating oil additive performance and maintain solubility in oil, resolving the contradiction between functionality and compositional stability.
2Ease of manufacture
If petroleum-derived monomers are used, then the polymer can be produced, but it does not meet environmental requirements for carbon circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the raw material source parameter from petroleum-derived monomers to plant-derived monomers (conjugated dienes and aromatic vinyl compounds). This parameter change maintains the ability to produce functional polymers while eliminating the environmental harm associated with petroleum extraction, aligning with carbon circulation society requirements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If existing lubricating oil additives are used, then viscosity index can be improved, but friction reduction ability is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a composite polymer structure combining conjugated diene units (40-80 mass%) and aromatic vinyl compound units (20-60 mass%) with controlled molecular weight (5,000-500,000). This composite material simultaneously achieves viscosity index improvement and friction reduction ability, resolving the contradiction between these two performance parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A polymer comprising: a structural unit derived from a compound represented by the following formula (1); and, a structural unit derived from a (meth)acryloyl group-containing compound, wherein the polymer has a content of the structural unit derived from the compound represented by the following formula (1) of 15% by mass or more based on 100% by mass of a total of all structural units, and the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000.