Synthesis and modification of maleic anhydride-vinyl acetate copolymer by a long alkyl chain alcohol for cold flow impovers of biodiesel

Abstract

This research illustrates the results of a study on the synthesis of maleic anhydride-vinyl acetate copolymers (MAVA) with the monomer molar ratio of 1:1 by the radical polymerisation method in which benzoyl peroxide was used as a catalyst. The structure and composition of MAVA were characterised by FTIR, ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectra. The molecular weight of the copolymers was determined by the viscosity method. The copolymers were then modified by the esterification reaction with hexadecanol - a long alkyl chain alcohol. The modified copolymer products (MAVAC) were used as additives to improve the cold flow properties of palm oil-based biodiesel through pour point temperature measurement according to standard ASTM-D97 and dynamic viscosity according to ASTM D445-97. The results showed that the MAVAC additives with the combshape structure at the concentration of 1000 ppm could decrease the pour point temperature of palm oil-based biodiesel by 5.5^oC and dynamic viscosity by 0.17 cPs.