Journal
POLYMERS
Volume 14, Issue 21, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/polym14214741
Keywords
lignin; ethylcellulose; electrospinning; nanostructure; dispersion; rheology
Categories
Funding
- Junta de Andalucia/EPIT2020-UHU [MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, RTI2018-096080-BC21]
- FEDER European Programme [PY20_00751, UHU202029]
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This study introduced a novel strategy for manufacturing thickened gel-like castor oil formulations by dispersing electrospun lignin/ethylcellulose nanostructures, potentially serving as eco-friendly lubricating greases. By controlling the ratio and concentration of lignin and ethylcellulose, the morphology and dispersibility of the nanostructures in oil can be adjusted, demonstrating satisfactory frictional response comparable to traditional lithium-lubricating greases.
This study reports on a novel strategy for manufacturing thickened gel-like castor oil formulations by dispersing electrospun lignin/ethylcellulose nanostructures. These thickened formulations were rheologically and tribologically evaluated with the aim of being proposed as alternative ecofriendly lubricating greases. Low-sulfonate kraft lignin (LSL) and ethylcellulose (EC) were dissolved in a DMAc:THF mixture at different concentrations (8, 10, and 15 wt.%) and LSL:EC ratios (50:50, 70:30, and 90:10) and subjected to electrospinning. The resulting electrospun nanostructures were morphologically characterized. EC acting as the cospinning polymer improved both LSL spinnability and the oil structuring ability. Solutions with a high lignin content achieved microsized particles connected by fibrils, whereas solutions with a high EC content (50:50 ratio) and LSL/EC total concentration (10 and 15 wt.%) yielded beaded or bead-free nanofibers, due to enhanced extensional viscoelastic properties and nonNewtonian characteristics. The gel-like properties of electrospun nanostructure dispersions in castor oil were strengthened with the nanostructure concentration and the EC:LSL ratio, as a result of the formation of a more interconnected fiber network. The oleodispersions studied exhibited a satisfactory frictional response in a tribological contact, with friction coefficient values that were comparable to those achieved with traditional lithium-lubricating greases.
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