Atomic to macroscale analysis of combustion behavior in biofuel droplets with superhydrophobic silica dimethyl silylate

This study presents a comprehensive atomic-to-macroscale analysis of crude jatropha oil (CJO) modified with SSDmS, serving as a multifunctional catalyst. The research aims to elucidate the influence of SSDmS on the molecular structure, thermal response, and combustion behavior of droplets in the abs...

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Main Authors: Trismawati, Hendry Y. Nanlohy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Results in Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025026052
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author Trismawati
Hendry Y. Nanlohy
author_facet Trismawati
Hendry Y. Nanlohy
author_sort Trismawati
collection DOAJ
description This study presents a comprehensive atomic-to-macroscale analysis of crude jatropha oil (CJO) modified with SSDmS, serving as a multifunctional catalyst. The research aims to elucidate the influence of SSDmS on the molecular structure, thermal response, and combustion behavior of droplets in the absence of chemical pretreatment. Experimental techniques, including FTIR spectroscopy, SEM imaging, thermal surface analysis, and simulated heat transfer profiling, were utilized to characterize the physicochemical changes in the modified fuel. Furthermore, suspended single droplet combustion experiments were undertaken to visualize the evolution of the flame. The results indicate that SSDmS alters the molecular packing of CJO, enhancing polar interactions and surface stability. FTIR spectra showed a 17 % increase in C = O transmittance, while SEM imaging revealed denser microstructure with reduced voids. SSDmS improved the fuel’s caloric value by 20.3 % (from 9825 to 10,615 cal/g) and lowered viscosity by 3.0 %. Heat transfer simulations demonstrated 1.7 × faster temperature rise and a > 30 % improvement in thermal uniformity. Flame imaging confirmed -18 ms earlier ignition, a 35 % reduction in flame asymmetry, and visibly cleaner, brighter flames in SSDmS-modified droplets compared to unmodified CJO. This multiscale approach reveals SSDmS’s dual role as a thermal conductor and catalytic interface, enabling enhanced combustion through improved energy propagation and molecular activation. The findings provide a novel framework for optimizing renewable biofuels using surface-engineered nanomaterials that bridge quantum interactions with macroscopic flame behavior.
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publishDate 2025-09-01
publisher Elsevier
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spelling doaj-art-0d1310481ed84c3aa8d64972039f3f512025-08-20T03:41:26ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-09-012710653610.1016/j.rineng.2025.106536Atomic to macroscale analysis of combustion behavior in biofuel droplets with superhydrophobic silica dimethyl silylate Trismawati0Hendry Y. Nanlohy1Department of Industrial Engineering, Panca Marga University, Probolinggo, 67271, IndonesiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Jayapura University of Science and Technology, 99351, Indonesia; Corresponding author.This study presents a comprehensive atomic-to-macroscale analysis of crude jatropha oil (CJO) modified with SSDmS, serving as a multifunctional catalyst. The research aims to elucidate the influence of SSDmS on the molecular structure, thermal response, and combustion behavior of droplets in the absence of chemical pretreatment. Experimental techniques, including FTIR spectroscopy, SEM imaging, thermal surface analysis, and simulated heat transfer profiling, were utilized to characterize the physicochemical changes in the modified fuel. Furthermore, suspended single droplet combustion experiments were undertaken to visualize the evolution of the flame. The results indicate that SSDmS alters the molecular packing of CJO, enhancing polar interactions and surface stability. FTIR spectra showed a 17 % increase in C = O transmittance, while SEM imaging revealed denser microstructure with reduced voids. SSDmS improved the fuel’s caloric value by 20.3 % (from 9825 to 10,615 cal/g) and lowered viscosity by 3.0 %. Heat transfer simulations demonstrated 1.7 × faster temperature rise and a > 30 % improvement in thermal uniformity. Flame imaging confirmed -18 ms earlier ignition, a 35 % reduction in flame asymmetry, and visibly cleaner, brighter flames in SSDmS-modified droplets compared to unmodified CJO. This multiscale approach reveals SSDmS’s dual role as a thermal conductor and catalytic interface, enabling enhanced combustion through improved energy propagation and molecular activation. The findings provide a novel framework for optimizing renewable biofuels using surface-engineered nanomaterials that bridge quantum interactions with macroscopic flame behavior.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025026052BiofuelSuperhydrophobic catalystPhysicochemical characteristicsDroplet combustionFlame evolution
spellingShingle Trismawati
Hendry Y. Nanlohy
Atomic to macroscale analysis of combustion behavior in biofuel droplets with superhydrophobic silica dimethyl silylate
Results in Engineering
Biofuel
Superhydrophobic catalyst
Physicochemical characteristics
Droplet combustion
Flame evolution
title Atomic to macroscale analysis of combustion behavior in biofuel droplets with superhydrophobic silica dimethyl silylate
title_full Atomic to macroscale analysis of combustion behavior in biofuel droplets with superhydrophobic silica dimethyl silylate
title_fullStr Atomic to macroscale analysis of combustion behavior in biofuel droplets with superhydrophobic silica dimethyl silylate
title_full_unstemmed Atomic to macroscale analysis of combustion behavior in biofuel droplets with superhydrophobic silica dimethyl silylate
title_short Atomic to macroscale analysis of combustion behavior in biofuel droplets with superhydrophobic silica dimethyl silylate
title_sort atomic to macroscale analysis of combustion behavior in biofuel droplets with superhydrophobic silica dimethyl silylate
topic Biofuel
Superhydrophobic catalyst
Physicochemical characteristics
Droplet combustion
Flame evolution
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025026052
work_keys_str_mv AT trismawati atomictomacroscaleanalysisofcombustionbehaviorinbiofueldropletswithsuperhydrophobicsilicadimethylsilylate
AT hendryynanlohy atomictomacroscaleanalysisofcombustionbehaviorinbiofueldropletswithsuperhydrophobicsilicadimethylsilylate