Synthesis and characterization of size controlled nano copper oxide structures for antioxidant study and as eco-friendly lubricant additive for bio-oils

This research work aims at the synthesis of Copper oxide (CuO) nanostructures with the application as additives for biolubricant oils, particularly Pongamia oil. The CuO particles were synthesized by a simple co-precipitation methodology. The nanostructures were characterized via analytical and microscopic techniques. The p-XRD analysis reveals the formation of size-controlled CuO formation, and the particle size was affirmed using both scherrer and William son Hall methods with particle size less than 14 nm. The surface morphology studies were substantiated by microscopic techniques. Elemental analysis reveal the purity of the prepared nanostructures. The monodispersed nanostructures are obtained with polydispersity index (PDI) of a value of 0.0550. The antioxidant property of CuO NPs was analyzed and is found in dose dependent manner, with efficiency of 71.9% at 50 μg/mL The influence of CuO nanoparticles on the viscosity of the lubricant is studied using the rheometer. The effect of these nanostructures on the friction characteristic is studied using a Ring-On-Block lubricity tester. The particles varied from 0.5 to 1 % wt. The CuO nanoparticles reduces the viscosity of the pongamia oil bio lubricants by 5.52% in comparision with the pongamia oil blended neem oil. The coefficient of Friction (COF) was found to be superlative for 0.75 % wt CuO added to Pongamia oil. The experimental result shows that CuO nanostructures is more effective than the blending of Neem oil with Pongamia oil and cane be used as an additives in the bio lubricants as the viscosity and friction modifier.