A review on the menagerie of green fluids and nanoparticles to develop sustainable biolubricant technologies
D.F. Silva-Alvarez, I. Domínguez-López, Mónica A. Vidales Hurtado, Claudia Gutiérrez‐Antonio, K.A. Flores-Garay, Adrian Garcia
Abstract
The environmental problems caused by using fossil fuels to sustain the present level of industrialization have kindled worldwide interest in developing sustainable lubrication technologies to reduce the impact of friction and wear, estimated at 23% of the energy currently produced globally. Besides good lubricity, such technologies must exhibit biodegradability, renewability, and environmental innocuousness. The present survey delves into state-of-the-art biolubricant formulations based on vegetable oils, ionic liquids, aqueous solutions, and glycerol. We focus on their tribological performance as standalone or whole formulations containing additives. Current investigations include several ecological nanoparticles that are tribologically functional. We include metallic nanoparticles and their oxides, carbon allotropes, sulfides, and h-BN. The development of biomass-based lubrication technologies is an essential step toward industry sustainability. It offers the potential for economic and energy savings and is a valuable addition to present global actions against climate change and pollution.