Investigating the Effect of GNP, ZnO, and CuO Nanoparticles on the Tribological, Rheological, and Corrosion Behavior of Bio-based Mahua Oil

ABSTRACT

This research work aims to investigate the rheological, tribological, and corrosion characteristics of Mahua oil by introducing Graphene nanoplatelets, Zinc Oxide, and Copper Oxide nanoparticles as lubricants additives. All these nanoparticles were separately dispersed in Mahua oil by using a probe sonicator with varying concentrations from 0.25 wt.% to 1.25 wt.%. The dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets and copper oxide nanoparticles in Mahua oil slightly improved the shear viscosity whereas Zinc Oxide nanoparticles exhibit the highest shear viscosity which acts as a viscosity modifier. The coefficient of friction of Mahua oil exhibited a significantly lower value of 52% and 46%, as compared to 20W40 and PAO4, respectively. The addition of nanoparticles in Mahua oil exhibited outstanding antifriction characteristics. The optimal concentrations of 0.5 wt.% of GNP, 0.5 wt.% of ZnO, and 1 wt.% of CuO nanoparticles demonstrated maximum reductions in COF by 6.27%, 22%, and 68.8%, respectively. The Copper Oxide nanoparticles showed the highest reduction in coefficient of friction which could be considered a superior antifriction nano additive for Mahua oil. Moreover, the Mahua oil has superior anti-corrosion properties than 20W40 and the addition of nanoparticles in Mahua oil did not impact the corrosion properties.

KEYWORDS:

• Sustainability
• rheology
• tribology
• Mahua oil
• nanolubricants
• FT-IR

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Himanshu Shekhar Gupta

Himanshu Shekhar Gupta is a research scholar in the department of mechanical engineering at NIT Srinagar Kashmir India. His research area is nano-lubricants.

Rakesh Sehgal

Rakesh Sehgal is Director NIT Srinagar. He possesses teaching and research experience of 35 years in the field of tribology.

Mohammad Farooq Wani

Mohammad Farooq Wani is HAG professor in the Department of mechanical engineering NIT Srinagar. He possesses teaching and research experience of 38 years in the field of tribology and nanotribology.