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This research investigates how the addition of titanium dioxide nanoparticles affects the performance and emissions of a diesel engine using Jatropha biodiesel.

April 19, 2026Open Access

Synergistic Effects of Jatropha Biodiesel and TiO 2 Nanoparticles on the Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Diesel Engine

Key Points

This research investigates how the addition of titanium dioxide nanoparticles affects the performance and emissions of a diesel engine using Jatropha biodiesel.
Evaluated various fuel blends with 10% and 20% Jatropha biodiesel by volume alongside TiO2-enhanced versions.
Conducted tests under constant full load conditions with engine speeds ranging from 1200 to 2200 rpm.
Measured performance metrics like torque, brake-specific fuel consumption, and emissions including nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide.
The B20T90 and B10T90 blends showed up to 6.2% increase in brake thermal efficiency and 3.4% reduction in brake specific fuel consumption.
All TiO2-enhanced blends resulted in significantly lower carbon monoxide and smoke emissions.
Higher concentrations of TiO2 resulted in increased hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions due to possible agglomeration effects.

Abstract

The performance and emission characteristics of a water‐cooled, four‐stroke, three‐cylinder compression ignition (CI) engine were examined in this work in relation to the synergetic effects of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles and Jatropha methyl ester (JME) biodiesel. A variety of fuel blends, including B10 and B20 (10% and 20% JME by volume), as well as their corresponding nanoparticle‐enhanced versions (B10T30, B10T60, B10T90, B20T30, B20T60, and B20T90), were used in the experimental testing. Pure diesel (D) was used as the baseline. In order to assess important performance parameters, including torque, brake‐specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), and emission parameters like nitrogen oxide (NO x ), hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), and smoke opacity, the engine was operated under constant full load conditions, with the speed adjusted between 1200 and 2200 rpm in increments of 200 rpm. The findings show that adding TiO 2 nanoparticles greatly enhances engine performance. When compared to diesel, the B20T90 and B10T90 showed the most substantial gains, with BTE increases of up to 6.2% and BSFC reductions of 3.4%. All TiO 2 ‐enhanced blends showed much lower CO and smoke emissions, suggesting cleaner burning though HC emissions increased at higher nanoparticle concentrations, possibly due to agglomeration effects. However, because of excessive oxygen availability and higher combustion temperature, there was an increase in HC and NO x emissions. Overall, the results show that JME and TiO 2 work in combination to improve fuel economy and lower particle emissions. If the issue of cost‐effective nanoparticle sourcing is resolved, these fuel blends—in particular, B10T90 and B20T90—show potential for short‐term benefits in controlled laboratory conditions, but substantial further work is required on long‐term durability, regulatory pathways, and cost‐benefit ratios compared to existing aftertreatment systems such as SCR and DPF, to assess their viability for sustainable diesel engine operation in the industrial and transportation sectors.

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