Catalytic performance of HPW/TiO2-SnO2-ZrO2 in soybean oil epoxidation under hydrodynamic cavitation

Solid acid catalyst HPW/TiO2-SnO2-ZrO2 was successfully synthesized by the coprecipitation-impregnation method. The structural and morphological properties of the catalyst were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, Py-FTIR, NH3-TPD, SEM, TEM, TG, and N-2-adsorption-desorption analysis. HPW/TiO2-SnO2-ZrO2 was applied in soybean oil (SBO) epoxidation, and the effects of different parameters, such as catalyst dosage, formic acid dosage, hydrogen peroxide dosage, and reaction temperature, on the relative conversion to oxirane in SBO, as well as the catalyst recyclability were investigated. The catalyst was efficient and recyclable for the epoxidation of SBO. Furthermore, the epoxidation time was effectively reduced, while the relative conversion to oxirane was increased (85.08% at 2 h). Moreover, the catalyst was easily recycled, and the epoxidation activity remained high after five cycles.

Automated summary

Solid acid catalyst HPW/TiO2-SnO2-ZrO2 was successfully synthesized and characterized. The catalyst showed high efficiency and recyclability in the epoxidation of soybean oil (SBO). The relative conversion to oxirane in SBO increased to 85.08% at 2 hours, and the catalyst remained active after five cycles of use.