Jojoba modified polymers as performance modifiers additives for engine oil

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to prepare novel types of copolymers and terpolymers depending on jojoba, and using them as additives for lubricating oil. Design/methodology/approach – Copolymerization of 1 mole of jojoba with 2 moles of vinyl acetate and copolymerization of 1 mole of jojoba with 2 moles of vinyl pyrrolidone were carried out. Then, two series of terpolymers were prepared by reacting (jojoba: vinyl acetate: alkylacrylate) and (jojoba: vinyl pyrrolidone: alkylacrylate), using free radical chain addition polymerization. Elucidation of the prepared polymers was carried out by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography, for determination of weight average molecular weight. The thermal stability of the prepared polymers was determined. The prepared polymers were evaluated as viscosity index improvers and pour point depressants for lubricating oil. Findings – It was found that the viscosity index increases with increasing the alkyl chain length of alkylacrylate. The effect of the monomer type was studied, and it was found that the polymers depending on vinyl acetate have great effect as viscosity index improvers and pour point depressants for lubricating oil. Originality/value – The polymerization of jojoba as different copolymers and terpolymers was carried out. The great influence of the prepared additives on modification of the viscosity properties and pour point of the oil was observed.