Received: 3 July 2020 Revised: 9 October 2020 Accepted: 17 October 2020 DOI: 10.1002/mrc.5110 RESEARCH ARTICLE NMR relaxometry analysis of molecular degradation in internal combustion engine lubricants Eustaquio M. Erro | Leandro J. Gerbino Laboratorio de Relaxometría y Técnicas Especiales (LaRTE), Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía, Física y Computación, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba and IFEG-CONICET, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, Argentina Correspondence Eustaquio M. Erro and Esteban Anoardo, Laboratorio de Relaxometría y Técnicas Especiales (LaRTE), Facultad de Matemática, Astronomía, Física y Computación, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba and IFEG-CONICET. Ciudad Universitaria, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina. Email: anoardo@famaf.unc.edu.ar; emerro@famaf.unc.edu.ar Funding information Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, Grant/Award Number: PICT-2017-2195 | Carla C. Fraenza | Esteban Anoardo Abstract A set of experimental techniques headed by proton fast field-cycling nuclear magnetic resonance (1HFFC-NMR) were used to analyze the effects of degradation of lubricant oil used in an internal combustion engine (ICE). Its relaxometric, spectroscopic, and rheological properties were evaluated and interpreted in terms of changes in the chemical structure and the involved molecular dynamics. In order to better understand the relaxometric behavior, chemical changes induced by heat were investigated for selected n-alkanes, as model-systems due to their structural simplicity. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, viscosity measurements, and foaming were used to contrast NMR relaxometry experiments. Main observed changes associated with oil degradation can be attributed to molecular oxidation, fragmentation, and ramification. As an outstanding feature of this work, we show that the relaxometric analysis can be done without any special treatment of the sample, allowing results in less than 10 min. KEYWORDS degradation, lubricant, NMR, relaxometry 1 | INTRODUCTION Internal combustion engine (ICE) lubricants are a complex mixture of hydrocarbons constituted by base oil and specific additives.[1,2] Their main function is not only reducing wear and friction but also providing protection against corrosion and removing combustion residues from the engine. A new/fresh ICE lubricant degradation starts immediately after engine operation is set on, progressing with time according to the use and conditions of the engine. Lubricant degradation sets in due to intrinsic and external factors directly affecting its performance and consequently, compromising the engine efficiency and its useful life. This is essentially the main reason of why condition monitoring technology for ICE lubricants turned to be a topic of increasing interest at both academic and industrial sectors.[3–5] Magn Reson Chem. 2020;1–7. Most important and commonly used methods to sense quality and degradation of lubricant oils include Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy,[6–8] high-pressure differential scanning calorimetry,[9] bulk oil oxidation stability,[10] cinematic viscosity,[11] total basic and acid number, and metals by atomic absorption spectroscopy and gas chromatography.[12] Also, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is often used to analyze lubricants.[13,14] Fast field-cycling NMR relaxometry (FFC-NMR)[15,16] was shown to be very useful for the characterization of lubricant oils through the involved molecular dynamics.[17] In this technique, the spin–lattice relaxation time (T1) is measured as a function of the magnetic field strength (B0), that is, the 1H Larmor frequency (ν0 = γ B0/2π, where γ is the proton gyromagnetic ratio). NMR relaxometry allows characterizing the underlying wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/mrc © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 1 2 molecular dynamics, such as molecular rotations and diffusion. This information is obtained through the theoretical model that is used to describe the relaxation profile.[15,16] Our physical model uses frequency domain data from lubricant oils relaxation rate dispersions.[18] In this work, FFC-NMR relaxometry was used to evaluate nuclear magnetic relaxation rate (R1 = 1/T1) changes in lubricant oil samples used in a car engine. Results are analyzed using a theoretical model that provides us with information about rotational and translational diffusion. FTIR spectroscopy, cinematic viscosity, and foaming test were used to explain the relationship between molecular transformation in the lubricant oil and relaxation rate changes. In order to better understand the FTIR and the relaxometric behavior of hydrocarbonated molecular systems under thermal stress, we extended the experiments to simple pure molecules like N-octacosane, n-1-octadecene and cis-9-octadecenoic acid. We assume that the observed thermal effects in these molecules can be extrapolated to the molecular blend composing the lubricant. This procedure also serves as a further validation of the theoretical model in use. 2 | MATERIALS AND METHODS The commercial lubricant oil used in our experiments was Castrol Magnatec10W-40 (semisynthetic). The aged lubricant oil samples come from an automobile gasoline engine. N-octacosane 99% and n-1-octadecene were purchased from Aldrich, oleic acid was from Sintorgan, and n-octadecane was from Shell. N-octacosane thermal degradation was carried out by heating a sample at 250 C for 2 h in a homemade electric-resistance thermostatic sand bath. Relaxometry experiments where implemented with a Spinmaster FFC-2000 CDC Relaxometer (Stelar; Mede, Italy) using samples of 1.5 ml. R1 was determined using standard prepolarized (PP) and nonpolarized (NP) sequences.[15] In all the experiments reported here, both the polarization and acquisition magnetic fields were set to 0.375 T (equivalent to 15 MHz for 1H Larmor frequency). Relaxation dispersion curves for lubricant oil samples were determined by measuring 20 points distributed within a Larmor frequency window ranging from 30 kHz to 15 MHz. For the rest of the samples, at least 10 points were measured within a Larmor frequency range from 10 kHz to 15 MHz instead. Each point was determined through an exponential fitting of 16 acquired single acquisitions (without phase-cycling averaging) for different relaxation delays. The typical total time per each relaxation dispersion curve was between 2 and 3 min. R1 ERRO ET AL. showed to be insensitive to the time window over which the NMR signal was acquired (after a 90 pulse). The spin relaxation process was mono-exponential, within errors, at all frequencies. Measurements were carried out at 30 C for lubricant oil samples and 70 C for n-octacosane and the other studied molecules. The sample temperature was controlled using a Stelar Variable Temperature Controller (VTC) within ±1 C. The temperature measurement was calibrated using a Cu–Al thermocouple glued into a 10-mm NMR tube connected to a CHY 503 electronic thermometer (CHY Firemate, Tainan, Taiwan). A Bruker IFS66VFTIR instrument, equipped with a photoconductive MCT detector and OPUS software was used to obtain the condensed-phase FTIR spectra. All spectra were recorded at 3,500–400 cm−1 interval with a resolution of 2 cm−1 from 32 coadded interferograms. A rheometer (Physica MCR 301—Anton Paar, Germany) was used for viscosity determinations. The cut speed interval was 1 × 10−3 to 1 × 103 Hz, with a conic geometry (1.006 )—50 mm plate diameter, and temperature control at 40 C with a Peltier system. For foaming characteristics measurement, the procedure described in ASTM D892-03 was followed. Samples maintained at a temperature of 24 C were blown with air at a constant rate for 5 min and then allowed to settle for 10 min. The volumes of foam were measured at the end of both periods. 2.1 | Theory We analyze the relaxation data by considering translational diffusion and molecular rotations, assuming that both contributions are statistically independent (and dominant in different timescales)[17,18]: Rot R1 ðωÞ = RTr 1 ðωÞ + R1 ðωÞ, ð1Þ where Tr stands for the translational diffusion term and Rot for the rotational. For the account of translational diffusion, we consider the force-free-hard-sphere (FFHS) model[19–21]: RTr 1 ðω Þ = AD fJ ½zðωÞ + 4J ½zð2ωÞg, Dd ð2Þ where AD = and 8 4 2 μ0 2 πγ h n, 4π 45 ð3Þ ERRO ET AL. 3 2 J ðz Þ = 1 + 58 z + z8 2 3 5 6 z z 1 + z + z2 + z6 + 81 + 648 : ð4Þ qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi 2 In these equations, ω = 2πν0, and zðωÞ 2ωd D . D represents the relative diffusion coefficient (defined as D ≡ D1 + D2 where the Dj are the self-diffusion coefficients of the involved molecules; d is the closest distance between two nuclei located in different molecules, n is the proton density, ћ is the Plank's constant divided by 2π, μ0 the vacuum magnetic permeability constant, and γ the proton gyromagnetic ratio. The molecular rotations contribution to the spin– lattice relaxation rate can be expressed by a Lorentzian form[19]: RRot 1 ðωÞ = AR τR 4τR , + 1 + ω2 τR 2 1 + 4ω2 τR 2 ð5Þ where AR = 3 42 μ0 2 1 γ : 4π r 6 10 ð6Þ With r the effective interproton distance between two nuclei embedded in the same molecule and τR is the rotational correlation time. 3 | R ES U L T S A N D D I S C U S S I O N Relaxation rates dispersions and FTIR spectra obtained for the fresh (0 km), used (10,000 km), and overused (20,000 km) Castrol Magnatec samples are shown in Figure 1a,b, respectively. In Figure 1a, relaxometric profiles obtained for a Castrol Magnatec lubricant oil with different levels of degradation caused by an internal combustion engine are presented as a function of the Larmor frequency. It is clearly evidenced that the relaxation rate increases with ageing, as observed in the whole measured frequency range. As can be observed in Figure 1b, six FTIR absorption peaks (I–VI) were selected from the spectra for the evaluation of chemical changes. I (2,910 cm−1) corresponds to C–H stretching from methyl (–CH3) and methylidene bridge (–CH2–) groups; II (1,714 cm−1) corresponds to – CO– stretching from carboxylic acid and aliphatic ketone carbonyl groups; III (1,626 cm−1) corresponds to N–H bending from amine; and IV, V, and VI (1,450, 1,368, and 723 cm−1) corresponds to C–H bending from alkane. In concordance with relaxometric results, the FTIR spectra show a progressive transformation of lubricant oil F I G U R E 1 (a) R1 dispersion curves (symbols) and their corresponding fittings (solid lines) using the model given by Equations 1–6. Circles represent the fresh lubricant oil (0 km), squares and triangles represent the used (10,000 km) and overused (20,000 km) lubricant oil samples, respectively. Experiments were realized at 30 C. (b) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra for the fresh lubricant oil (black line), the used lubricant oil (green line), and the overused lubricant oil (red line) hydrocarbons molecules. The signal increase at II and III indicates oxygen and nitrogen incorporation. A slight increase in the peak areas ratio for I, IV, V, and VI evidence molecular fragmentation and ramification. Lubricant oils gradually accumulate residues from various sources including both internal and external to the engine. Most common are metallic particles, soot, dust, fuel, and water, among others. In order to test the influence of such residues in the relaxation dispersion profile, a considerable fraction of the solid residues was separated by centrifugation using an Allegra 21 centrifuge (Beckman-Coulter; Brea, United States). Centrifugation was done at 9,000 rpm during 20 min. The supernatant of 4 the centrifuged specimen was further analyzed using the NMR relaxometry technique. Then, a comparative analysis was carried out between the R1 dispersion curves obtained for the centrifuged and noncentrifuged oil (Figure 2). As can be observed in Figure 2, both relaxation dispersion curves are indistinguishable within experimental errors. This result means that the presence of residues does not affect the relaxometric analysis in an appreciable way, at least for the given conditions: accumulated residues after 20,000 km of use and centrifugation at 9,000 rpm (20 min). The fact that processes governing the spin–lattice relaxation are hardly influenced by the presence of solid residues represents the advantage that used ICE lubricants can be analyzed directly, without any special sample treatment, allowing getting results in a few minutes. The model given by Equation 1 was used to analyze the data shown in Figures 1a and 2. Some of the involved physical parameters in this model, namely, d, D, AR (Equation 6), and τR, were calculated from data fitting, with initial values settled within their most probable intervals (according to previous results in different oils). The proton density n was calculated as described in Erro et al.[18] The obtained fitting curves using Equation 1 are shown in Figures 1a and 2, where a good agreement with data can be observed within the experimental errors. The corresponding fitting parameters are presented in Table 1, and their numerical values are in agreement with similar studies already reported in the literature.[14,18,22] F I G U R E 2 R1 dispersion curves (symbols) and their corresponding model fittings (solid lines) using the model given by Equations 1–6. Circles represent the overused centrifuged lubricant oil; triangles represent the noncentrifuged overused lubricant oil, respectively. Experiments were performed at 30 C ERRO ET AL. From Table 1, we learn that the relative diffusion coefficient D shows a tendency to decrease with the increase of use of the lubricant. This behavior can be associated to an increase in the viscosity due to changes in the chemical structure and oxidation of the hydrocarbonated chains (Table 2). The values of the closest distance between two nuclei, d, and the rotational amplitude (AR) did not show any tendency. An increase in the rotational correlation times τR for the fresh, used, and overused samples was observed. This result is also consistent with an increase in the viscosity and consequently, a slower molecular mobility (Table 2). Last column of Table 1 shows the parameters corresponding to the centrifuged oil R1 dispersion (Figure 2). A significant similarity with the parameters of the noncentrifuged specimen can be observed. In an attempt to better understand the relaxometric changes observed in these samples, a model molecule was chosen for its study. N-octacosane (C28H58) is a very simple molecule and a good model to study potential chemical modifications (ramification, fragmentation, and oxidation). To identify molecular changes induced by heat, a thermal degradation was carried out by heating an n-octacosane sample at 250 C for 2 h. Figure 3a shows spin–lattice relaxation dispersion rates obtained for n-octacosane in its pristine state (■) and thermally treated n-octacosane (□) at a temperature of 70 C. Figure 3b shows FTIR spectra for a nontreated n-octacosane (black line) and thermally treated n-octacosane (red line). Figure 3a shows that the relaxation rate values measured for thermally treated n-octacosane (□) are larger than those obtained for the nontreated sample (■). In addition, it can also be observed that the treated sample shows up a higher R1 dispersion (clearly observable in the MHz regime). This result suggests that the chemical modifications promoted by thermal stress are the responsible for a more efficient spin–lattice relaxation process. Four FTIR regions of the spectra (I–IV) were selected from Figure 3b for the evaluation of chemical changes in n-octacosane molecules. I, III, and IV corresponds to methyl (–CH3) and methylene (–CH2–) groups. The change observed in III and IV indicates a decrease of methylene groups, which is consistent with a fragmentation process mediated by heat. Besides, the change in the areas ratio between I to III and I to IV, suggest that the methyl groups population increased throughout the thermal treatment. II corresponds to carbonyl groups (–C O–) and only appears in the thermally treated sample. This confirms that heat causes the oxidation of n-octacosane. The evidence suggests that the linear n-octacosane is oxidized, fragmented, and ramified when is exposed to a thermal treatment of 250 C for 2 h.[23] ERRO ET AL. 5 TABLE 1 Parameters obtained using the model given in Equation 1 Parameter d [m] × 10 −10 Fresh 0 km Used 10,000 km Overused 20,000 km Centrifuged overused 20,000 km 3.0 ± 0.1 2.9 ± 0.1 2.5 ± 0.1 2.6 ± 0.1 D [m /s] × 10−11 2.7 ± 0.6 2.1 ± 0.6 1.6 ± 0.4 1.5 ± 0.4 AR [1/s ] × 10 6.0 ± 0.4 6.0 ± 0.4 3.3 ± 0.2 3.3 ± 0.2 3.0 ± 0.2 3.9 ± 0.2 4.8 ± 0.4 4.8 ± 0.4 2 2 −9 τR [s] × 10 TABLE 2 8 Measured cinematic viscosity values Castrol Magnatec 10W-40, T: 40 C Use (km) Cinematic viscosity [cSt] (95 ± 1)a 0 10,000 (106 ± 1) 20,000 (122 ± 3) a Value reported by the manufacturer: 96 cSt. F I G U R E 3 (a) R1 dispersion curves for n-octacosane in its pristine state (■) and thermally treated state (□). Measurements performed at 70 C. (b) FTIR spectra of fresh nondegraded n-octacosane (black line) and thermally treated n-octacosane (red line) In view of our FTIR results, we can say that Castrol Magnatec and n-octacosane exhibit the same type of chemical alterations, which, as a whole, impact on the relaxometric results increasing the R1 values in both cases. Thus, R1 dispersion curves for several molecules having different size and containing two different functional groups were used in attempts to assess a more precise causative significance of the observed changes in the relaxation rates. In Figure 4, R1 dispersion curves for three n-alkanes, n-heptane (■, C7H16), n-octadecane (□, C18H38), and n-octacosane (C28H58) with (▲) and without (▲) thermal treatment are presented. Oleic acid (, cis-9-octadecenoic acid, C18H34O2) and n-1-octadecene (♦, C18H36) R1 dispersion curves were added to Figure 4 in order to show the effect that carboxylic acid groups and double carbon to carbon bonds have on the relaxation rate values. The R1 dispersion curves for the n-alkanes, n-heptane (■), n-octadecane (□), and n-octacosane (▲), presented in Figure 4, show a regular increasing of relaxation rate values as a function of molecular size. This can be FIGURE 4 R1 dispersion curves for n-heptane (■), noctadecane (□), n-1-octadecene (♦), n-octacosane (▲), oleic acid (), and thermally treated n-octacosane (▲). Experiments were performed at 70 C 6 ERRO ET AL. explained in terms of the molecular weight: the bigger the molecules are, the higher the restriction in the movements they have. Such restriction plays in favor for a more efficient relaxation process. No significant differences were observed between n-octadecane (□) and n-1-octadecene (♦) curves, indicating that a double carbon to carbon bond at one end of the molecule does not affect the proton relaxation in a significant way. Finally, the relaxation rate dispersion obtained for oleic acid () shows that carboxylic acid groups generate a considerable increment in relaxation rate values respect of the obtained for n-octadecane (□). The oxygens from carboxylic acid groups form hydrogen bond interactions with neighboring molecules, which restricts movements and give some “structure” to the liquid phase, doing, as was previously mentioned, a more efficient relaxation dynamics. Thermally treated n-octacosane (▲) shows the higher relaxation rate values, which, based on the evidence gathered, is caused by the chemical restructuration produced by molecular oxidation, ramifications, and chain-rupture. The standard test method for foaming characteristics of lubricating oils (ASTM D892) gives us information about how long takes certain amount of foam to disappear. Table 3 shows foam volume and permanence time for the Castrol Magnatec samples. The foam volume and permanence time values depend directly from the strength and number of molecular interactions,[24] the longer time (>600 s) obtained for the overused lubricant oil sample indicates a greater ability to form and retain bubbles due to a mayor number of oxidized molecules forming hydrogen bond intermolecular interactions. The oxidized molecules (which have polar oxygenated functional groups) act as surfactants, thus reducing the surface tension and facilitating foaming. Shorter times evidence that a smaller number of molecules have incorporated oxygen. As a consequence, strong intermolecular interactions like hydrogen bonding are much less probable, thus having a minor impact in the dynamical behavior of the lubricant molecular blend. TABLE 3 Foam volume and permanence time for the fresh, used, and overused Castrol Magnatec samples Castrol Magnatec 10W-40, T: 24 C Use (km) Foam volume (ml) Permanence time (s) 0 (10 ± 1) (150 ± 7) 10,000 (30 ± 2) (300 ± 15) 20,000 (250 ± 20) >600 4 | CONCLUSIONS Results obtained in this work suggest that the progressive increment of the relaxation rate values observed in the fresh, used, and overused lubricant samples are directly related to chemical transformation and structural alterations of the molecules. Based on our study about chemical modification in molecules of lubricant oil and n-octacosane mediated by heat, we are able to affirm that molecular oxidation, ramification, and chain rupture are the main factors affecting nuclear magnetic relaxation of protons. The strong similitude between the overused centrifuged and noncentrifuged lubricant oil R1 dispersions suggest that the presence of solid combustion residuals, soot, and metallic particles (among others), dispersed in the engine oil, are not affecting the relaxometric behavior in an observable way. This is a clear advantage of nuclear magnetic relaxometry, because it allows the analysis of lubricant oils without prior treatment of the sample. However, this point calls for a deeper analysis because over a threshold concentration, these components may affect the relaxation rate dispersion. In fact, in the present case, from Table 1, we learn that even the diffusion constant remains unaffected after removing the solid residuals, that is, the molecular transport is not being affected by the solid residuals accumulated in the lubricant after 20,000 km of use. A C KN O WL ED G EME N T S The authors acknowledge financial and general support from FONCYT, CONICET, and Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. CCF acknowledges a postdoctoral fellowship from CONICET. DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT The data that support the results here discussed are available under request. ORCID Esteban Anoardo 4305 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6667- RE FER EN CES [1] Z. Pawlak, in Tribochemistry of lubricating oils, (Ed: B. J. Briscoe) Tribology and Interface Engineering Series Vol. 45, Elsevier, Amsterdam 2003. [2] C. A. Passut, in Engine Lubricants, (Eds: Q. J. Wang, Y. W. Chung) Encyclopedia of Tribology, Springer, Boston, MA 2013. [3] E. S. Mohamed, Appl. Therm. Eng. 2018, 132, 824. [4] J. Wang, Z. Wang, F. Gu, X. Ma, J. Fei, Y. Cao, An investigation into the sensor placement of a marine engine lubrication ERRO ET AL. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] system for condition monitoring, in Advances in Asset Management and Condition Monitoring. 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