Synthesis of poly(stearyl (meth)acrylate-co-N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) copolymers via RAFT and its application as diesel fuel additives

The copolymers of stearyl methacrylate or stearyl acrylate with N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone were obtained by Reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization (RAFT) in mild conditions. The performed analysis of molecular weight parameters has clearly shows that the presence of the RAFT agents allows to decrease molecular weight distribution of the sample. The formation of copolymers was proved via NMR method. The reactivity ratios of the monomers were calculated using Kelen-Tudos and Fineman-Ross methods. According to the obtained values the monomers have comparable activities leading to the formation of uniform macromolecules. The obtained copolymers were tested as additives to hydrotreated diesel fuels. It was found that such polymers are capable to improve cold flow properties of fuel, such as cold filter plugging point, pour point and cloud point. The advantage of the proposed additives is their ability to increase of thermal oxidative stability of fuel. The obtained results allow considering the obtained copolymers as a base for complex additive with high performance.