SILVA, F. A.; SILVA, Fernando Alves da.; DA SILVA, Fernando Alves.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/2965226832987483; SILVA, Fernando Alves da.
Resumo:
In recent years, the environmental problems generated by oil and the possibility of its depletion
have led to numerous research projects in search of viable alternatives to replace it and its
derivatives, such as mineral lubricating oils. As a result, biodegradable lubricants have been
gaining more and more prominence in relation to petroleum-based lubricants, as they are highly
biodegradable and less ecotoxic. One of the methods used to produce them is transesterification
followed by epoxidation of corn oil, with the aim of improving its lubricating characteristics.
Corn is the most widely produced crop on the planet and is also grown on a large scale in all
regions of Brazil. In view of the above, the aim of this work was to synthesize and characterize
biolubricants using commercial corn oil as a raw material. The transesterification reaction used
two different alcohols and potassium hydroxide as a catalyst. The transesterification products
were then epoxidized with 15% commercial peracetic acid. The materials obtained in the
process were characterized through their physical and chemical properties. Based on the results,
it was observed that the methyl (96%) and ethyl (84%) esters obtained good conversion
percentages, as did the methyl (93%) and ethyl (97%) epoxides. Furthermore, the epoxidized
products showed a reduction in iodine levels and kinematic viscosity at 40 oC, highlighting the
efficiency of the process used. Based on the results obtained, corn oil has the potential to be
used in the production of biodegradable lubricants, thus helping to reduce the use of fossil
materials in the production of lubricants.