Lubricant base oils constitute approximately 75-90% of commercially formulated lubricants, representing a significant $60 billion market. These oils play a crucial role in various applications, including industrial machinery and vehicles. Traditionally, lubricant base oils have been synthesized from petroleum feedstocks; however, a novel process now uses biobased feedstocks, starting with sugars.
This innovative method employs a heterogeneous (i.e., solid) catalyst, which minimizes the required quantity and alleviates the harsh reaction conditions associated with conventional bio-based lubricant production. Professor Vlachos’s team has developed three classes of bio-lubricant base oils, each exhibiting distinct properties that demonstrate comparable, if not enhanced, performance relative to existing technologies.
EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge: 2024 Academic Award
Professor Dionisios G. Vlachos at University of Delaware