Engineering Green Lubricants I: Optimizing Thermal and Flow Properties of Linear Diesters Derived from Vegetable Oils

Abstract

The crystallization, melting, and flow behaviors of a series of linear aliphatic diesters (chemical formula (C 17 H 33 COO) 2 [CH 2 ] n ) derived from vegetable oil feedstock were investigated as a function of the methylene spacer units between the two ester moieties (given by the diol chain length, n ). The crystallization and melting behaviors were determined by differential scanning calorimetry and flow behavior and viscosity by rotational rheometry. The results show that quantifiable structure–property relationships exist between the methylene spacer units of the molecules and their physical properties, which can be used to custom-design green materials with controlled phase composition and physical properties such as melting and viscosity suitable for use in applications such as lubricants, phase change energy storage, or waxes.