The as-synthesized copolymer based on the prepared monomers
and
its nanohybrid were used for improving the cold flow of diesel fuel
that has a vital role in meeting energy needs. The copolymer (AE)
was created using the prepared monomers, by free radical solution
polymerization of the prepared hexadecylmaleamide and octyloleate
ester, and the polymer nanohybrid (NH) was created by emulsion polymerization
of the same monomers with 1% nano-SiO2. The chemical structures
of the copolymer and its nanohybrid were proved by Fourier transform
infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H NMR, dynamic light scattering
(DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Through exploring
the effect of the nanohybrid, before and after adding the dosage of
the additives to the diesel fuel, the pour point temperature (PPT),
rheological characteristics, and viscosity index were measured. The
data were the best for the nanohybrid; the PPT decreased from −3
to −36 °C upon adding 10,000 ppm nanohybrid but decreased
from −3 to −30 °C for 10,000 ppm copolymer. In
addition, the efficiency of the additives was proved by viscosity–shear
rate and shear rate–shear stress curves to give the apparent
viscosity, which decreased from 124 cP for the blank to 15.74 and
12.8 cP for AE and NH, respectively; also, the yield stress decreased
from 576 D/Cm2 for the blank to 541.44 and 477.9 D/Cm2 for AE and NH, respectively, at room temperature. The viscosity
index increased from 116 for the blank to 119 and 121 for the copolymer
and the nanohybrid, respectively. Polarizing optical microscopy was
performed to show more tiny and separated wax upon adding the additives.
The findings showed that delayed crystal precipitation and altered
crystal shape with the NH and AE greatly reduced low-temperature viscosity
and enhanced the cold flow characteristics of the diesel fuel.
