Development of epoxidized Moringa oleifera nanolubricant with CeO2 nanoparticles as an additive for improving the lubrication characteristics

This study explores the capability of Moringa oleifera oil as a bio-lubricant and its properties. To make it more suitable, the unsaturated fatty acids present in oil were modified chemically by the transesterification method. Furthermore, cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO₂) were added to the modified oil in different proportions. The thermo-physical characterizations such as viscosity index, kinematic viscosity, pour point, flash point, and distribution constancy along tribological study were performed. For the worn surface analysis, scanning electron microscopy was used. The test was performed on DUCOM tribotester for the tribological characterization. Chemical modification of the oil and the nanoparticles addition shows the improvement in kinetic viscosity with 1.0% at 100 °C temperature. There is an increase in flash point, and a decrease in the pour point was detected with the addition of nano-CeO₂. The involvement of the nano-CeO₂ in the epoxidized oil shows enhanced distribution constancy. In the light of the research, the addition of 0.6% of nano-CeO₂ has shown a decrease in the wear rate and friction coefficient. The SEM images of the surfaces verify the same at 0.6% concentration of nanoparticles. The improvement in wear was observed with a 0.6% optimal concentration of the nanoparticles in the epoxidized oil.