An Experimental–Numerical Study on Oxidation Inhibition of SiO2 Nanoparticles in Biolubricants for Internal Combustion Engines

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Abstract
Modern agriculture depends heavily on machinery to maximize operational efficiency and, consequently, profitability, but the wear-and-tear on the mechanical components of machinery due to ageing can lead to reduced efficiency, more downtime, and higher maintenance expenses, thus raising the operative costs. These problems have been addressed by the use of specific lubricant additives for machinery; however, additives have known disadvantages, such as compatibility restrictions and environmental concerns, which represent critical issues especially in case of possible dispersion in the environment. Modern industry is always looking for techniques and solutions to increase efficiency and productivity, and this study investigates the possible advantages of employing nanotechnology in lubricant formulations. Amongst all possible substances, SiO2 nanoparticles are increasingly promising as lubricant additives due to their unique properties, which include heat resistance, high levels of stability, and good biocompatibility. Moreover, biolubricants, derived from renewable sources, offer an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional lubricants. This article contributes to the field of agricultural technology by demonstrating the potential of SiO2 nanoparticles in formulations of biolubricants thought to be used in agricultural machines. Key degradation parameters, including density, viscosity, total acid number (TAN), total base number (TBN), oxidation, and elemental composition, were systematically analysed. The results showed that SiO2 nanoparticles mitigate viscosity loss and density increase, optimize TAN and TBN, reduce oxidation of the biolubricants by up to 17.7% at 1.00 wt% SiO2, and stabilize elemental composition during ageing. Nanoparticles remained uniformly dispersed without sedimentation for over 30 days. This provides insights that can prevent machinery performance degradation over time, reduce lubricant changes, and suggest a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lubrication solution, thus promoting more sustainable industry.

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