TRIBOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS OF PROTIC IONIC LIQUIDS: EFFECTS OF IONIC STRUCTURE, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Authors

  • Jiahe Poy Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
  • Raudah Nordin Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
  • William Woei Fong Chong Institute for Sustainable Transport (IST), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
  • Nur Aisya Affrina Mohamed Ariffin School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, 43900 Sepang, Selangor, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11113/jtse.v13.257

Keywords:

Protic ionic liquids (PILs), lubrication, ion moiety, solubility, hydrolytic stability

Abstract

Protic ionic liquids (PILs) have emerged as promising candidates for advanced lubrication owing to their intrinsic thermal stability, negligible volatility, and ability to form protective boundary layers at sliding inter faces. This review revealed ionic species present with long alkyl group, or specialised functional group that enhanced intermolecular interaction which tend to improves tribological ability, thermal stability and raise viscosity. Additionally, the compatibility of PIL with base oils is critical for effective additive performance, as insufficient miscibility limits ion transport and interfacial coverage. Hydrolytic stability is another critical concern for application in high-moisture environment which are rarely examined in literature. Collectively, the current findings highlight the need for integrated molecular design strategies that simultaneously consider chain length, ion-pair chemistry, oil compatibility and hydrolytic stability, to realize the full potential of PILs as tunable, high-performance lubricants or additives.

References

B. J. Hamrock, S. R. Schmid, and B. O. Jacobson, Fundamentals of fluid f ilm lubrication. CRC press, 2004.

H. Liu, B. Yang, C. Wang, Y. Han, and D. Liu, “The mechanisms and applications of friction energy dissipation,” Friction, vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 839 864, 2023.

K. Holmberg, P. Kivikyt¨o-Reponen, P. H¨arkisaari, K. Valtonen, and A. Erdemir, “Global energy consumption due to friction and wear in the mining industry,” Tribology International, vol. 115, pp. 116–139, 2017.

F. Sundus, M. Fazal, and H. Masjuki, “Tribology with biodiesel: A study on enhancing biodiesel stability and its fuel properties,” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 70, pp. 399–412, 2017.

M. R. I. Sazzad, M. M. Rahman, T. Hassan, A. Al Rifat, A. Al Mamun, A. R. Adib, R. M. Meraz, and M. Ahmed, “Advancing sustainable lubri cating oil management: Re-refining techniques, market insights, innovative enhancements, and conversion to fuel,” Heliyon, vol. 10, no. 20, 2024.

I. Madanhire and C. Mbohwa, Mitigating environmental impact of petroleum lubricants. Springer, 2016.

P. J. Berríos-Rolón, M. C. Cotto, and F. M´arquez, “Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pahs) in freshwater systems: a comprehensive review of sources, distribution, and ecotoxicological impacts,” Toxics, vol. 13, no. 4, p. 321, 2025.

F. M. Onyije, B. Hosseini, K. Togawa, J. Sch¨uz, and A. Olsson, “Cancer in cidence and mortality among petroleum industry workers and residents liv ing in oil producing communities: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” International journal of environmental research and public health, vol. 18, no. 8, p. 4343, 2021.

S. Ray, P. V. Rao, and N. V. Choudary, “Poly-α-olefin-based synthetic lu bricants: A short review on various synthetic routes,” Lubrication Science, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 23–44, 2012.

A. Nurlybayeva, A. Yermekova, R. Taubayeva, N. Sarova, A. Sapiyeva, S. Mateeva, G. Matniyazova, K. Bulekbayeva, G. Jetpisbayeva, and M. Tamabekova, “Modern methods of obtaining synthetic oil from uncon ventional hydrocarbon raw materials: technologies, catalysts, and develop ment prospects,” Polymers, vol. 17, no. 6, p. 776, 2025.

S. Sulima, V. Bakun, N. Chistyakova, M. Larina, R. Yakovenko, and A. Savost’yanov, “Prospects for technologies in the production of synthetic base stocks for engine oils (a review),” Petroleum Chemistry, vol. 61, no. 11, pp. 1178–1189, 2021.

S. Duangkaewmanee and A. Petsom, “Synergistic and antagonistic effects on oxidation stability of antioxidants in a synthetic ester based oil,” Tri bology International, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 266–271, 2011.

P. Ghosh and M. Das, “Study of the influence of some polymeric addi tives as viscosity index improvers and pour point depressants–synthesis and characterization,” Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, vol. 119, pp. 79–84, 2014.

L. R. Rudnick, Lubricant additives: chemistry and applications. CRC press, 2009.

A. Danilov, R. Bartko, and S. Antonov, “Current advances in the applica tion and development of lubricating oil additives,” Petroleum Chemistry, vol. 61, no. 1, pp. 35–42, 2021.

J. Zhao, Y. Huang, Y. He, and Y. Shi, “Nanolubricant additives: A review,” Friction, vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 891–917, 2021.

H. Spikes, “Low-and zero-sulphated ash, phosphorus and sulphur anti-wear additives for engine oils,” Lubrication science, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 103–136, 2008.

K. M. Bodek and V. V. Wong, “The effects of sulfated ash, phosphorus and sulfur on diesel aftertreatment systems-a review,” 2007.

H. Spikes, “The history and mechanisms of zddp,” Tribology letters, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 469–489, 2004.

A. Sappok, M. Santiago, T. Vianna, and V. W. Wong, “Characteristics and effects of ash accumulation on diesel particulate filter performance: Rapidly aged and field aged results,” in SAE World Congress & Exhibition, SAE Technical Paper, 2009.

K. Kimura, M. Lynskey, E. R. Corrigan, D. L. Hickman, J. Wang, H. L. Fang, and S. Chatterjee, “Real world study of diesel particulate filter ash accumulation in heavy-duty diesel trucks,” tech. rep., SAE Technical Paper, 2006.

S. Rodvanna, M. Srilomsak, C. Nuthong, C. Charoenphanich, M. Masom tob, P. Saisirirat, N. Chollacoop, K. Hanamura, and P. Karin, “Physico chemical characteristics of ashes deposited on a wall flow diesel particulate f ilter of compression ignition engine,” Case Studies in Chemical and Envi ronmental Engineering, vol. 7, p. 100316, 2023.

K. Hakan, “The impact of crankcase oil containing phosphorus on catalytic converters and engine exhaust emissions,” Industrial Lubrication and Tri bology, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 237–255, 2001.

M. Y. Karelina, A. V. Sukhodolya, E. S. Prusov, and D. S. Taldykin, “Sul phur content in engine oil: Method for determining the amount,” Stroi tel’stvo Unikal’nyh Zdanij i Sooruzenij, no. 5, pp. 1–11, 2024.

S. A. Forsyth, J. M. Pringle, and D. R. MacFarlane, “Ionic liquids—an overview,” Australian Journal of Chemistry, vol. 57, no. 2, pp. 113–119, 2004.

H. Guo and P. Iglesias, “Tribological behavior of ammonium-based protic ionic liquid as lubricant additive,” Friction, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 169–178, 2021.

A. Patel, H. Guo, and P. Iglesias, “Study of the lubricating ability of protic ionic liquid on an aluminum–steel contact,” Lubricants, vol. 6, no. 3, p. 66, 2018.

A. Sierra, M. G. Coleman, and P. Iglesias, “Tribological properties of borate-based protic ionic liquids as neat lubricants and biolubricant ad ditives for steel-steel contact,” Lubricants, vol. 10, no. 10, p. 269, 2022.

A.-E. Jimenez and M.-D. Berm´udez, “Ionic liquids as lubricants for steel aluminum contacts at low and elevated temperatures,” Tribology Letters, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 53–60, 2007.

J. M. Pringle, J. Golding, C. M. Forsyth, G. B. Deacon, M. Forsyth, and D. R. MacFarlane, “Physical trends and structural features in organic salts of the thiocyanate anion,” Journal of Materials Chemistry, vol. 12, no. 12, pp. 3475–3480, 2002.

C. P. Fredlake, J. M. Crosthwaite, D. G. Hert, S. N. Aki, and J. F. Bren necke, “Thermophysical properties of imidazolium-based ionic liquids,” Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data, vol. 49, no. 4, pp. 954–964, 2004.

C.-P. Lee, C.-T. Li, and K.-C. Ho, “Use of organic materials in dye sensitized solar cells,” Materials today, vol. 20, no. 5, pp. 267–283, 2017.

A. E. Somers, P. C. Howlett, D. R. MacFarlane, and M. Forsyth, “A review of ionic liquid lubricants,” Lubricants, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 3–21, 2013.

I. Minami, “Ionic liquids in tribology,” Molecules, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 2286 2305, 2009.

M. Cai, Q. Yu, W. Liu, and F. Zhou, “Ionic liquid lubricants: when chem istry meets tribology,” Chemical Society Reviews, vol. 49, no. 21, pp. 7753 7818, 2020.

S. Waheed, A. Ahmed, M. Abid, R. A. Mufti, F. Ferreira, M. N. Bashir, A. U. R. Shah, A. T. Jafry, N. W. Zulkifli, and I. R. Fattah, “Ionic liquids as lubricants: An overview of recent developments,” Journal of Molecular Structure, vol. 1301, p. 137307, 2024.

S. Waheed, A. Ahmed, M. Abid, R. A. Mufti, F. Ferreira, M. N. Bashir, A. U. R. Shah, A. T. Jafry, N. W. Zulkifli, and I. R. Fattah, “Ionic liquids as lubricants: An overview of recent developments,” Journal of Molecular Structure, vol. 1301, p. 137307, 2024.

C. G. Yoo, Y. Pu, and A. J. Ragauskas, “Ionic liquids: Promising green solvents for lignocellulosic biomass utilization,” Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, vol. 5, pp. 5–11, 2017.

S. S. Y. Tan and D. R. MacFarlane, “Ionic liquids in biomass processing,” Ionic liquids, pp. 311–339, 2009.

K. Karuppasamy, J. Theerthagiri, D. Vikraman, C.-J. Yim, S. Hussain, R. Sharma, T. Maiyalagan, J. Qin, and H.-S. Kim, “Ionic liquid-based electrolytes for energy storage devices: A brief review on their limits and applications,” Polymers, vol. 12, no. 4, p. 918, 2020.

G. A. Tiago, I. A. Matias, A. P. Ribeiro, and L. M. Martins, “Application of ionic liquids in electrochemistry—recent advances,” Molecules, vol. 25, no. 24, p. 5812, 2020.

A. Ray and B. Saruhan, “Application of ionic liquids for batteries and supercapacitors,” Materials, vol. 14, no. 11, p. 2942, 2021.

I. Nesterova, N. Kondratyuk, Y. Budkov, K. Gerke, and A. Khlyupin, “The role of surface material properties on the behavior of ionic liquids in nanoconfinement: A critical review and perspective,” arXiv preprint arXiv:2410.08721, 2024.

M. Palacio and B. Bhushan, “A review of ionic liquids for green molecular lubrication in nanotechnology,” Tribology Letters, vol. 40, no. 2, pp. 247 268, 2010.

T. Welton, “Room-temperature ionic liquids. solvents for synthesis and catalysis,” Chemical reviews, vol. 99, no. 8, pp. 2071–2084, 1999.

M. J. Earle and K. R. Seddon, “Ionic liquids. green solvents for the future,” Pure and applied chemistry, vol. 72, no. 7, pp. 1391–1398, 2000.

A. Hosseini, A. Khoshsima, M. Sabzi, and A. Rostam, “Toward application of ionic liquids to desulfurization of fuels: A review,” Energy & Fuels, vol. 36, no. 8, pp. 4119–4152, 2022.

S. K. Shukla, S. G. Khokarale, T. Q. Bui, and J.-P. T. Mikkola, “Ionic liquids: Potential materials for carbon dioxide capture and utilization,” Frontiers in Materials, vol. 6, p. 42, 2019.

D. Shang, X. Liu, L. Bai, S. Zeng, Q. Xu, H. Gao, and X. Zhang, “Ionic liquids in gas separation processing,” Current Opinion in Green and Sus tainable Chemistry, vol. 5, pp. 74–81, 2017.

C. A. Angell, Y. Ansari, and Z. Zhao, “Ionic liquids: past, present and future,” Faraday discussions, vol. 154, pp. 9–27, 2012.

H. Srour, H. Rouault, C. C. Santini, and Y. Chauvin, “A silver and water free metathesis reaction: a route to ionic liquids,” Green chemistry, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 1341–1347, 2013.

G. Ara, A. Rahman, M. A. Halim, M. M. Islam, M. Y. A. Mollah, M. M. Rahman, and M. A. B. H. Susan, “One-pot synthesis of aprotic ionic liquid through solvent-free alkylation of an organic superbase,” Materials Today: Proceedings, vol. 29, pp. 1020–1024, 2020.

W. Silva, M. Zanatta, A. S. Ferreira, M. C. Corvo, and E. J. Cabrita, “Re visiting ionic liquid structure-property relationship: A critical analysis,” International journal of molecular sciences, vol. 21, no. 20, p. 7745, 2020.

K. Amzad, S. Yasa, R. Gusain, and O. Khatri, “Oil-miscible, halogen-free, and surfaceactive lauryl sulphate derived ionic liquids for enhancement of tribologica l properties,” J Mol Liquids, vol. 318, p. 114005, 2020.

R. Gusain, A. Khan, and O. P. Khatri, “Fatty acid-derived ionic liquids as renewable lubricant additives: Effect of chain length and unsaturation,” Journal of Molecular Liquids, vol. 301, p. 112322, 2020.

H. Guo, A. R. Adukure, and P. Iglesias, “Effect of ionicity of three protic ionic liquids as neat lubricants and lubricant additives to a biolubricant,” Coatings, vol. 9, no. 11, p. 713, 2019.

H. Guo, B. Stoyanovich, J. Pang, and P. Iglesias, “Lubricating ability of protic ionic liquids as additives to a biodegradable oil for aluminum-steel contact: Effect of alkyl chain length and propensity to hydrogen bonding,” Lubricants, vol. 11, no. 8, p. 329, 2023.

M. R. O. Vega, K. Parise, L. B. Ramos, U. Boff, S. Mattedi, L. Schaeffer, and C. F. Malfatti, “Protic ionic liquids used as metal-forming green lu bricants for aluminum: Effect of anion chain length,” Materials Research, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 675–687, 2017.

I. Minami, M. Kita, T. Kubo, H. Nanao, and S. Mori, “The tribological properties of ionic liquids composed of trifluorotris (pentafluoroethyl) phos phate as a hydrophobic anion,” Tribology Letters, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 215 223, 2008.

G. M. Al Kaisy, M. I. A. Mutalib, T. Rao, and A. Senatore, “Tribological performance of low viscosity halogen-free ammonium based protic ionic liquids with carboxylate anions as neat lubricants,” Tribology International, vol. 160, p. 107058, 2021.

H. Fang, Y. Li, S. Zhang, Q. Ding, L. Hu, and K. Lu, “The superior lubricating performance and unique mechanism

of oil-soluble protic ionic liquids with short alkyl chains,” Journal of colloid and interface science, vol. 623, pp. 257–266, 2022.

R. Dong, L. Bao, Q. Yu, Y. Wu, Z. Ma, J. Zhang, M. Cai, F. Zhou, and W. Liu, “Effect of electric potential and chain length on tribological per formances of ionic liquids as additives for aqueous systems and molecular dynamics simulations,” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, vol. 12, no. 35, pp. 39910–39919, 2020.

N. Rivera, D. Blanco, J. Viesca, A. Fern´andez-Gonz´alez, R. Gonz´alez, and A. H. Battez, “Tribological performance of three fatty acid anion-based ionic liquids (fails) used as lubricant additive,” Journal of Molecular Liq uids, vol. 296, p. 111881, 2019.

L. A. Smook, S. C. KR, and P. M. Lugt, “Evaluating the oxidation prop erties of lubricants via non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis: Esti mating induction times and oxidation stability,” Tribology International, vol. 171, p. 107569, 2022.

S. Paporakis, K. T.-C. Liu, S. J. Brown, J. B. Harper, A. V. Martin, and T. L. Greaves, “Thermal stability of protic ionic liquids,” The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, vol. 128, no. 17, pp. 4208–4219, 2024.

J. L. Viesca, P. Oulego, R. Gonz´alez, H. Guo, A. H. Battez, and P. Iglesias, “Miscibility, corrosion and environmental properties of six hexanoate-and sulfonate-based protic ionic liquids,” Journal of Molecular Liquids, vol. 322, p. 114561, 2021.

H. Guo, C. Lou, J. Pang, V. Bellomo, N. Mantegna, and P. Iglesias, “Linear alkyl-benzenesulfonate-based protic ionic liquids: Physicochemical proper ties and tribological performance as lubricant additives to a non-polar base oil,” Journal of Molecular Liquids, vol. 361, p. 119535, 2022.

I. Sedov, T. Magsumov, T. Salikov, and B. Solomonov, “Solvation of apolar compounds in protic ionic liquids: The non-synergistic effect of electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds,” Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, vol. 19, no. 37, pp. 25352–25359, 2017.

I. A. Sedov and T. I. Magsumov, “Solvation properties of protic ionic liquids 2-methoxyethylammonium nitrate, propylammonium hydrogen sulfate, and butylammonium hydrogen sulfate,” The Journal of Chemical Thermody namics, vol. 170, p. 106779, 2022.

B. Yu, D. G. Bansal, J. Qu, X. Sun, H. Luo, S. Dai, P. J. Blau, B. G. Bunting, G. Mordukhovich, and D. J. Smolenski, “Oil-miscible and non-corrosive phosphonium-based ionic liquids as candidate lubricant addi tives,” Wear, vol. 289, pp. 58–64, 2012.

H. Fang, Y. Li, S. Zhang, Q. Ding, and L. Hu, “Lubricating performances of oil-miscible trialkylanmmonium carboxylate ionic liquids as additives in pao at room and low temperatures,” Applied Surface Science, vol. 568, p. 150922, 2021.

H. Fang, Y. Li, S. Zhang, Q. Ding, and L. Hu, “Novel binary oil-soluble ionic liquids with high lubricating performance,” Tribology International, vol. 174, p. 107724, 2022.

D. Coronado and J. Wenske, “Monitoring the oil of wind-turbine gearboxes: Main degradation indicators and detection methods,” Machines, vol. 6, no. 2, p. 25, 2018.

M. S. Rauscher, A. J. Tremmel, M. Schardt, and A. W. Koch, “Non dispersive infrared sensor for online condition monitoring of gearbox oil,” Sensors, vol. 17, no. 2, p. 399, 2017.

Z. Zhou, X. Zhou, Q. Huang, X. Liu, L. Wang, and S. Xing, “Impact of oil-water emulsions on lubrication performance of ship stern bearings,” Scientific Reports, vol. 14, no. 1, p. 31478, 2024.

S. Steudte, J. Neumann, U. Bottin-Weber, M. Diedenhofen, J. Arning, P. Stepnowski, and S. Stolte, “Hydrolysis study of fluoroorganic and cyano based ionic liquid anions–consequences for operational safety and environ mental stability,” Green chemistry, vol. 14, no. 9, pp. 2474–2483, 2012.

R. Smigins, K. Amatnieks, A. Birkavs, K. G´orski, and S. Kryshtopa, “Stud ies on engine oil degradation characteristics in a field test with passenger cars,” Energies, vol. 16, no. 24, p. 7955, 2023.

Figure 5

Downloads

Published

2026-06-24

How to Cite

Poy, J., Nordin, R., Chong, W. W. F., & Mohamed Ariffin, N. A. A. (2026). TRIBOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS OF PROTIC IONIC LIQUIDS: EFFECTS OF IONIC STRUCTURE, CHALLENGES, AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES. Journal of Transport System Engineering, 13(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.11113/jtse.v13.257

Issue

Section

Transport System Engineering

Similar Articles

<< < 1 2 3 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)