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Table 2: Chemically Modified Biolubricants [14,16].


Lubricant 20 W-50 ETL


COFA


(at 5% wt loss) BL1


(at 5% wt loss) BL2


(at 5% wt loss)


Thermal Stability --- ---


236.14 °C 0.044


223.72 °C 0.051


187.62 °C 0.037


coefficient value recorded at 0.065. The WSD also provided insightful results. The commercial mineral lubricant along with BL1 had close values, measured at 264.75 µm and 251.06 µm, respectively. BL1 and COFA also had similar values; however, they were much lower. This result represents that the additional step of epoxidation can ultimately help preserve the anti-wear capabilities that are seen in the COFA sample. This can be due to the oxirane rings which can help protect chemical and physical properties [16].


Chemical modifications can help improve the characteristics and overall performance of biolubricants. Although results can vary between the type of biomass used as well as the kind of modifications, it is critical to continue research in this sector. Studies have already shown how modification can enhance the already redeemable qualities of certain biolubricants. Table 2 shown below offers a summary of various biolubricants in comparison to some commercially used mineral lubricants [14,16].


Friction Coefficient 0.078 ± 0.04 0.052 ± 0.07


140.68 251.06 157.87


Wear Surface Diameter 140.36 ± 1.36 209.72 ± 3.01


[16] [16] [16]


ester production in lubricants [12,13]. They can be seen enhancing the performances of biolubricants by improving thermal stability, WSD, and frictional stability. Ultimately, biolubricants have yet to be as dependently used compared to mineral-based lubricants. However, they are gaining traction and are even being promoted through governments [18]. Biolubricants truly have a promising future. Their performance capabilities can greatly influence the shift to more sustainable lubricants.


References Figure 6: Four-ball Tribological Test [16]. Prospects of Biolubricants


Although biolubricants are not the primary kind of lubricant used commercially, they do have current niche applications. The market value of biolubricants is at 2.72 billion USD in 2025 and is predicted to rise to 4.14 billion USD by 2032 but is already seeing some commercial use [17]. For example, these lubricants are already seen in transportation. Larger vehicles such as trucks and buses are starting to use animal oils as a lubricant. While the initial costs may be higher for these biolubricants, their longer lifespans can ultimately become cost-effective [17]. Biolubricants also have potential in gear applications. Their corrosion and friction reduction capabilities can help increase productivity on some machinery by 20% [18]. Government initiatives are also being taken across the globe. The leader of biolubricants is currently Europe. This is due to certain policies being enforced in countries including France and Germany. Certain regulations such as the European Green Deal help promote the use of biolubricants to be used in sectors like automotive and industrial [18]. There is a vast variety of biolubricants all ranging in purpose and attributes which contributes to the potential of seeing these types of lubricants in industry.


Conclusion


Biolubricants have an array of advantageous qualities. They are an environmentally friendly alternative to the mainly used lubricants seen today. While biolubricants have their drawbacks, there is an abundance of pathways being taken to further biolubricants’ capabilities. Physical additives of nanoparticles are one technique that is gaining traction. Additives including titanium dioxide, graphene, and maghemite have been studied resulting in enhancements of certain renewable lubricants [3,4]. Chemical modifications are another area being explored. Techniques such as esterification and epoxidations help promote


[1] Uniyal, P., Gaur, P., Yadav, J., Khan, T., & Ahmed, O. S. (2024). A Review on the Effect of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on Tribological Properties of Biolubricants. ACS Omega. https://doi. org/10.1021/acsomega.3c08279 [2] Narayana Sarma, R., & Vinu, R. (2022). Current Status and Future Prospects of Biolubricants: Properties and Applications. Lubricants, 10(4), 70. https://doi.org/10.3390/ lubricants10040070 [3] N, M., Karanth, K. V., & Kumar, S. (2025). Nanoparticle- enhanced bio-lubricants for cleaner and more efficient diesel engine performance. International Journal of Thermofluids, 29, 101398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijft.2025.101398 [4] Ibrahim Ogu Sadiq, Mohd Azlan Suhaimi, Sharif, S., Noordin Mohd Yusof, & Muhammad Juzaili Hisam. (2022b). Enhanced performance of bio-lubricant properties with nano-additives for sustainable lubrication. Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, 74(9), 995–1006. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt-08-2021-0348 [5] Milton Garcia Tobar, Wilmer, R., Bryan Jimenez Cordero, & Julio Guillen Matute. (2024). Nanotechnology in Lubricants: A Systematic Review of the Use of Nanoparticles to Reduce the Friction Coefficient. Lubricants, 12(5), 166–166. https://doi. org/10.3390/lubricants12050166 [6] Erdi Korkmaz, M., & Kumar Gupta, M. (2024). Nano lubricants in machining and tribology applications: A state of the art review on challenges and future trend. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 407, 125261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2024.125261 [7] Zhu, P., Yan, Y., Zhou, Y., Qi, Z., Li, Y., & Chen, C.-M. (2024). Thermal Properties of Graphene and Graphene-Based Nanocomposites: A Review. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 7(8), 8445–8463. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.4c00411 [8] Nugroho, A., Kozin, M., Bo, Z., Mamat, R., Ghazali, M. F., Kamil, M. P., Puranto, P., Fitriani, D. A., Azahra, S. A., Suwondo, K. P., & Ashfiya, P. S. (2024). Recent advances in harnessing biolubricants to enhance tribological performance and environmental responsibility – Bibliometric review (2015–2024). Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 23, 100821. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.clet.2024.100821 [9] Akanksha, M. S., Sumanth, P., Akhil, U. V., Radhika, N., & Ravichandran, M. (2024). The modification and adoption of biolubricants as alternatives in the automotive industry. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 32(3), 1043– 1072. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-35670-z [10] BioSolvents. (2024, June 25). What Are Esters? Properties, Structures, and Uses | Vertec. Www.vertecbiosolvents.com. https://www.vertecbiosolvents.com/what-are-esters-properties- structures-and-uses


[11] BALDE, I. , KANE, C. , DIME, A. K. , BALDE, S. , & NDIAYE, K. (2022). Vegetable Oils Epoxidation Mechanisms. World Journal of Analytical Chemistry, 7(1), 1-6. [12] Cogliano, T., Turco, R., Martino Di Serio, Salmi, T., Tesser, R., & Russo, V. (2024). Epoxidation of Vegetable Oils via the Prilezhaev Reaction Method: A Review of the Transition from Batch to Continuous Processes. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.iecr.3c04211 [13] Housel, T. (n.d.). Synthetic Esters: Engineered to Perform. Www.machinerylubrication.com. https://www. machinerylubrication.com/Read/29703/synthetic-esters-perform [14] Monteiro, R. R. C., de Melo Neta, M. M. F., Rocha, W. S., Soares, J. B., de Luna, F. M. T., Fernandez-Lafuente, R., & Vieira, R. S. (2024). Optimizing the enzymatic production of biolubricants


[14] [14]


by the Taguchi method: Esterification of the free fatty acids from castor oil with 2-ethyl-1-hexanol catalyzed by Eversa Transform 2.0. Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 175, 110409. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.enzmictec.2024.110409 [15] Pirahanchi, Y., & Sharma, S. (2023, June 26). Biochemistry, lipase. National Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537346/ [16] Marliete, M., Gustavo, de, P., de, I., da, W., Paulo, Cavalcante, C. L., & Murilo, F. (2023). Thermo-Oxidative Stability and Tribological Properties of Biolubricants Obtained from Castor Oil Fatty Acids and Isoamyl Alcohol. Lubricants, 11(11), 490–490. https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants11110490 [17] S&S Insider. (2025). SNS Insider | Strategy and Stats. Snsinsider.com. https://www.snsinsider.com/reports/ biolubricants-market-4419 [18] Jain, A. K., & Amit Suhane. (2013). Capability of Biolubricants as Alternative Lubricant in Industrial and Maintenance Applications.


About the Authors


Dr. Raj Shah, is a Director at Koehler Instrument Company in New York, where he has worked for the last 25 plus years. He is an elected Fellow by his peers at ASTM, IChemE, ASTM, AOCS, CMI, STLE, AIC, NLGI, INSTMC, Institute of Physics, The Energy Institute and The Royal Society of Chemistry. An ASTM Eagle award recipient, Dr. Shah recently coedited the bestseller, “Fuels and Lubricants handbook”, details of which are available at ASTM’s Long-awaited Fuels and Lubricants Handbook https://bit.ly/3u2e6GY. He earned his doctorate in Chemical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and is a Fellow from The Chartered Management Institute, London. Dr. Shah is also a Chartered Scientist with the Science Council, a Chartered Petroleum Engineer with the Energy Institute and a Chartered Engineer with the Engineering council, UK. Dr. Shah was recently granted the honorific of “Eminent engineer” with Tau beta Pi, the largest engineering society in the USA. He is on the Advisory board of directors at Farmingdale university (Mechanical Technology), Auburn Univ (Tribology), SUNY, Farmingdale, (Engineering Management) and State university of NY, Stony Brook (Chemical engineering/ Material Science and engineering). An Adjunct Professor at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, in the Department of Material Science and Chemical Engineering, Raj also has over 725 publications and has been active in the energy industry for over 3 decades. More information on Raj can be found at https://shorturl.at/JDPZN


Miss Madeline Chiappone is part of the thriving internship program at Koehler Instrument Company and is studying towards a degree in Civil Engineering at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York.


Madeline Chiappone


Mister William Chen is a member of a thriving internship program at Koehler Instrument company in Holtsville, and is a student of Chemical Engineering at State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY.


William Chen


Mister Gavin Thomas is part of the thriving internship program at Koehler Instrument Company and has graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York. He also is a process engineer at Mill-Max where he optimizes performance with sustainability and efficiency.


Gavin Thomas


Author Contact Details


Dr. Raj Shah, Koehler Instrument Company • Holtsville, NY11742 USA • Email: rshah@koehlerinstrument.com • Web: www.koehlerinstrument.com


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