Novel vegetable biolubricants containing ionic liquid

Novel biolubricants based on vegetable avocado oils modified by the ionic liquid diethylmethylammonium methanesulfonate (IL), were investigated. Neat (Av) and epoxidized avocado (EAv) oils with 1 wt% IL were studied in a metal-ceramic tribopair under pin-on-disc configuration. The best tribological performance was found for the EAv+ 1 %IL oil, with higher viscosity, and friction coefficient and wear rate up to 74.5 % and 98.8 % lower than that of neat lubricants. The presence of IL and epoxidized oil tribofilm inside the wear tracks was confirmed using X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy. These results highlight the potential use of ionic liquids as efficient additives in biolubricant oils. • Epoxidized avocado oil with high thermal oxidation resistance was synthesized. • Novel lubricants based on avocado oils were prepared by adding 1 wt% of ionic liquid. • EAv+ 1 %IL oil had higher viscosity, reducing friction & wear by up to 74.5 & 98.8 %. • Tribofilm formation and load carrying ability yielded good tribological performance.