Nano Oil Additive Improves Internal Combustion Engine Efficiency and Life Expectancy

Internal combustion engines remain a predominant source of global energy consumption, contributing substantially to both operational costs and greenhouse gas emissions. This work evaluates a nanomaterial-based engine oil additive that reduces friction and wear and increases torque, horsepower, and fuel efficiency. This novel nano oil additive contains functionalized carbon nanotubes and hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets that are dispersed in base oil using a proprietary ultrasonication process. Block-on-ring tests performed by multiple testing facilities demonstrated up to a 17% decrease in coefficient of friction and up to a 78% decrease in wear compared to the base oil after treating with the nano oil additive. Thermal properties enhancement by the nano oil additive was evaluated and increases up to 17 °C in thermal stability were obtained. Additionally, the nano oil additive increased torque and horsepower by an average of 7% in motorcycles and 2.4% in pickup trucks. Most importantly, the nano oil additive demonstrated improvements in fuel economy in both gasoline and diesel engines, with laboratory tests reporting 3–5% increases and practical field tests on a commercial truck fleet reporting an average of a 6% increase. The improved engine efficiency leads to reduced turbo temperature in heavy diesel engines and prolonged engine life expectancy and will significantly improve global environmental sustainability.