Well-defined poly(stearyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) obtained by ATRP as a complex additive for hydrotreated diesel fuel

In the present work reversible-deactivation radical copolymerization of stearyl methacrylate with glycidyl methacrylate via atom transfer radical polymerization mechanism was conducted using CuBr/tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine catalytic system and ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate as initiator, and the obtained copolymers were tested as bases for complex additive for eco-friendly diesel fuel. The controlled character of polymerization process was confirmed by the linear increase of molecular weight of the samples with conversion with preservation of low dispersity. The formation of copolymers was confirmed by means of IR and NMR spectroscopy and MALDI mass spectrometry. The 1H NMR spectrometry measurements have shown that the composition of the obtained copolymers is close to the same of monomer mixture. The synthesized copolymers were tested as complex additives for hydrotreated diesel fuel in the concentration range 200-1600 parts per million (ppm). The influence of molecular weight and composition of copolymer and additive concentration on the pour point, cloud point and cold filter plugging point were investigated. It was shown the obtained additives down the mentioned low-temperature parameters by 18 degrees being comparable with the commercial additive Dodiflow. The obtained polymers also improve thermo-oxidative stability and lubricating properties of diesel fuels and may be considered as prospective complex additives for eco-friendly diesel fuels meeting the requirements of the Euro-5 quality standard.

Automated summary

In this study, reversible-deactivation radical copolymerization of stearyl methacrylate with glycidyl methacrylate was conducted using atom transfer radical polymerization mechanism. The synthesized copolymers were tested as complex additives for eco-friendly diesel fuel, showing improved low-temperature parameters, thermo-oxidative stability, and lubricating properties.