Abstract:A novel neutral ionic liquid 1-tetradecyl-3-(2-ethylhexyl)imidazolium bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate was synthesized and evaluated as catalyst in the esterification of trimethylolpropane (TMP) with oleic acid (OA) and anti-wear additive (AW) in trimethylolpropane oleate (TMPTO) for the first time. Results showed that the IL exhibited catalytic activity with an oleic acid conversion increased by 14% and a selectivity of 55.9% to di-ester, 44.1% to tri-ester in the esterification reaction under the optimum reaction conditions. And unlike most ILs that have little or no solubility in the synthetic ester fluids, this IL is fully miscible in TMPTO after reaction. More importantly, the IL dissolved in TMPTO significantly improved friction reducing and anti-wear properties of the base oil.

Keywords:Neutral ionic liquid; Catalyst; Anti-wear additive; Trimethylolpropane oleate

Published in TRIBOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, 97 192-199; 10.1016/j.triboint.2015.12.047 MAY 2016