Enhancement in the Oxidative Stability of Commercial Gasoline Fuel by the Goethite Nanoparticles

Abstract

It is well-established that traces of the transition metals strongly accelerate the gasoline oxidation significantly decreasing the gasoline storage time. This paper explores the opposite effect of the goethite nanoparticles on the oxidative stability of the commercial gasoline. The goethite nanoparticles were obtained in a colloidal solution by a simple thermal decomposition of iron(II) oleate. The size and the structure of the nanoparticles are confirmed by TEM, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Model study of the benzyl alcohol oxidation shows that the goethite nanoparticles significantly inhibit the oxidation process. Study of the effect of the goethite nanoparticles on the induction period of the commercial gasoline reveals a significant elongation of the induction period. It highlights that the goethite nanoparticles are capable to enhance the storage time of a gasoline. The effect may be associated with a quenching of free radicals by the goethite nanoparticles.