Sustainable and Advanced Lubrication Strategies for Industrial and Environmental Applications

A special issue of Lubricants (ISSN 2075-4442).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2026 | Viewed by 6571

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200032, China
Interests: lubricating materials; chemical synthesis; tribological behaviors; action mechanism and application research studies of lubricating additives
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Laboratory for Advanced Lubricating Materials, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China
Interests: molecular structure design; synthesis; structure–activity relationship; action mechanisms of lubricant additives

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainable and advanced lubrication strategies are becoming increasingly crucial in modern industry and environmental protection. With the growing demands for efficiency, environmental friendliness, and economic feasibility, both modern industry and environmental protection are facing unprecedented opportunities and challenges. The application of lubricants spans multiple industries, each with its unique working conditions and application requirements. This makes formulating and managing lubrication strategies extremely challenging, from initial selection to ongoing management.

This Special Issue is dedicated to sharing the latest research progress in sustainable and advanced lubrication strategies for industrial and environmental applications. It aims to present the most up-to-date research advancements in this field, covering the following aspects:

(i) Novel lubricants, including additives, synthetic base stocks, formulation processes, etc.

(ii) Innovative lubrication technologies, such as surface modifications, and hybrid lubrication methods, among others.

(iii) Advanced monitoring technologies, encompassing sensor technology, data analysis, machine learning algorithms, and others.

Dr. Hongmei Yang
Dr. Wenjing Hu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Lubricants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • novel lubricants
  • innovative lubrications
  • surface modifications
  • hybrid lubrications
  • monitoring technologies

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 5660 KB  
Article
Synthesis and Tribological Properties of Multifunctional Nitrogen-Containing Heterocyclic Dialkyl Dithiocarbamate Derivatives
by Mengxuan Wang, Ting Li, Zhongxian Li, Wenjing Hu, Junwei Wang and Jiusheng Li
Lubricants 2026, 14(1), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants14010035 - 14 Jan 2026
Viewed by 642
Abstract
Energy conservation and efficiency enhancement necessitate continuous advancement in the development and preparation of multifunctional, high-performance lubricant additives. This paper reports three novel ashless, phosphorus-free, multifunctional nitrogen-containing heterocyclic dialkyl dithiocarbamate derivative additives (Py-2-DBDTC, PDM-DBDTC, and BZT-DBDTC). Thermal stability, oxidation resistance, and tribological properties [...] Read more.
Energy conservation and efficiency enhancement necessitate continuous advancement in the development and preparation of multifunctional, high-performance lubricant additives. This paper reports three novel ashless, phosphorus-free, multifunctional nitrogen-containing heterocyclic dialkyl dithiocarbamate derivative additives (Py-2-DBDTC, PDM-DBDTC, and BZT-DBDTC). Thermal stability, oxidation resistance, and tribological properties were investigated for the synthesized additives. All three additives demonstrated excellent thermal stability and oxidation resistance. Furthermore, their extreme-pressure properties improved by 116.33% or more compared to the base oil, while wear reduction rates also exceeded 58.32%. Under both point-to-point and point-on-flat friction conditions, the friction-reducing performance of all three additives was equally outstanding. Across a broad temperature range (25 °C–150 °C), all additives maintained their friction-reducing properties. Analysis of the worn surface morphology reveals that all three additives undergo tribochemical reactions during the friction process, forming tribofilms containing sulfur elements. Research indicates that introducing different nitrogen-containing heterocyclic structures into dialkyl dithiocarbamates can effectively enhance the adsorption capacity of the additives on metal surfaces and promote the formation of tribofilms at the friction interface, thereby significantly improving tribological performance. These systematic investigations not only provide important guidance for the molecular design and industrial application of multifunctional lubricant additives but also further advance the development of sustainable lubrication technologies. Full article
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21 pages, 3711 KB  
Article
Hybrid ML-Based Cutting Temperature Prediction in Hard Milling Under Sustainable Lubrication
by Balasuadhakar Arumugam, Thirumalai Kumaran Sundaresan and Saood Ali
Lubricants 2025, 13(11), 498; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13110498 - 14 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1045
Abstract
The field of hard milling has recently witnessed growing interest in environmentally sustainable machining practices. Among these, Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) has emerged as an effective strategy, offering not only reduced environmental impact but also economic benefits and enhanced cooling performance compared to [...] Read more.
The field of hard milling has recently witnessed growing interest in environmentally sustainable machining practices. Among these, Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) has emerged as an effective strategy, offering not only reduced environmental impact but also economic benefits and enhanced cooling performance compared to conventional flood cooling methods. In hard milling operations, cutting temperature is a critical factor that significantly influences the quality of the finished component. Proper control of this parameter is essential for producing high-precision workpieces, yet measuring cutting temperature is often complex, time-consuming, and costly. These challenges can be effectively addressed by predicting cutting temperature using advanced Machine Learning (ML) models, which offer a faster and more efficient alternative to direct measurement. In this context, the present study investigates and compares the performance of Conventional Minimum Quantity Lubrication (CMQL) and Graphene-Enhanced MQL (GEMQL), with sesame oil serving as the base fluid, in terms of their effect on cutting temperature. The experiments are structured using a Taguchi L36 orthogonal array, with key variables including cutting speed, feed rate, MQL jet pressure, and the type of cooling applied. Additionally, the study explores the predictive capabilities of various advanced ML models, including Decision Tree, XGBoost Regressor, K-Nearest Neighbor, Random Forest Regressor, and CatBoost Regressor, along with a Hybrid Stacking Machine Learning Model (HSMLM) for estimating cutting temperature. The results demonstrate that the GEMQL setup reduced cutting temperature by 36.8% compared to the CMQL environment. Among all the ML models tested, HSMLM exhibited superior predictive performance, achieving the best evaluation metrics with a mean absolute error of 3.15, root mean squared error (RMSE) of 5.3, mean absolute percentage error of 3.9, coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.91, and an overall accuracy of 96%. Full article
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20 pages, 2127 KB  
Article
Real-World Fuel Consumption of a Passenger Car with Oil Filters of Different Characteristics at High Altitude
by Edgar Vicente Rojas-Reinoso, Cristian Malla-Toapanta, Paúl Plaza-Roldán, Carmen Mata, Javier Barba and Luis Tipanluisa
Lubricants 2025, 13(10), 437; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13100437 - 1 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1882
Abstract
This study evaluates media-level filtration behaviour and short-term fuel consumption outcomes for five spin-on lubricating oil filters operated under real driving conditions at high altitude. To improve interpretability, filters are reported using parameter-based identifiers (media descriptors and equivalent circular diameter, ECD) rather than [...] Read more.
This study evaluates media-level filtration behaviour and short-term fuel consumption outcomes for five spin-on lubricating oil filters operated under real driving conditions at high altitude. To improve interpretability, filters are reported using parameter-based identifiers (media descriptors and equivalent circular diameter, ECD) rather than internal codes. Pore-scale morphology was quantified by microscopy and expressed as ECD, and bulk fluid cleanliness was summarised using ISO 4406 codes. Trials were conducted over representative urban and extra-urban routes at altitude; fuel consumption was analysed using ANCOVA. The results indicated clear media-level differences (tighter pore envelopes and cleaner ISO codes, particularly for two OEM units). However, fuel-consumption differences were not statistically significant (ANCOVA, p = 0.29). Accordingly, findings are reported as short-term cleanliness and media characterisation under high-altitude duty rather than durability or efficiency claims. The parameter-based framing clarifies trade-offs across metrics and avoids over-generalisation from brand or part numbers. The work highlights the value of ECD as a comparative pore metric and underscores limitations of microscopy/cleanliness data for inferring engine wear or long-term consumption. Future work will incorporate formal multi-pass testing (ISO 4548-12), direct differential-pressure instrumentation, used-oil viscosity tracking, and wear-metal spectrometry to enable cross-vendor benchmarking and causal interpretation. Findings are presented as short-term cleanliness and media characterisation; no durability claims are made in the absence of direct wear measurements. Full article
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Review

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20 pages, 563 KB  
Review
Sustainable and Advanced Lubricating Materials for Automotive Industrial Applications
by Vijay Bhooshan Kumar
Lubricants 2025, 13(11), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/lubricants13110491 - 10 Nov 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2189
Abstract
The automotive industry is undergoing a transformative shift toward sustainability, driven by stringent environmental regulations, rising energy demands, and the pursuit of enhanced performance and efficiency. Lubricating materials play a pivotal role in reducing friction, wear, and energy losses in automotive systems, yet [...] Read more.
The automotive industry is undergoing a transformative shift toward sustainability, driven by stringent environmental regulations, rising energy demands, and the pursuit of enhanced performance and efficiency. Lubricating materials play a pivotal role in reducing friction, wear, and energy losses in automotive systems, yet conventional lubricants, primarily petroleum-based, pose significant ecological and operational challenges. This review examines the development and performance of sustainable and advanced lubricant including bio-based oils, synthetic esters, nanolubricants, and ionic/solid lubricants for automotive applications. Drawing on tribological principles and recent advances in materials science, the article categorizes these lubricants based on source, chemical structure, and tribological behavior. A comparative framework is introduced to evaluate key performance indicators such as viscosity index, thermal stability, oxidation resistance, biodegradability, and compatibility with modern engine designs. The review also highlights emerging trends, including nanotechnology-based additives, green synthesis techniques, and novel antioxidant systems that enhance lubricant functionality and lifespan. Furthermore, a strategic research roadmap is proposed, outlining short-, medium-, and long-term priorities that integrate technical, environmental, and economic dimensions. By bridging foundational science with practical innovation, this article aims to guide researchers, manufacturers, and policymakers toward the adoption of high-performance, eco-compatible lubricants that support the transition to cleaner and more efficient mobility systems. Future directions and challenges in scaling, cost-effectiveness, and lifecycle assessment are discussed to guide innovation in this critical domain. Full article
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