The Epoxidation of Cooking Oil Using Heterogeneous Catalyst Via Peracids Mechanism

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly materials has directed attention towards the epoxidation of vegetable oils for biopolymer and plasticizer production. This study investigates the use of natural zeolite as a heterogeneous catalyst in the epoxidation of cooking oil via the in situ peracids mechanism. The epoxidation was carried out using hydrogen peroxide and formic acid at 80°C, with varying catalyst loadings to examine their effect on oxirane yield and reaction kinetics. The oxirane oxygen content (OOC) was monitored through titration, while Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed structural changes in the oil. Results showed that 0.25 g of natural zeolite yielded the highest relative conversion to oxirane (RCO) of 68.6% within 10 minutes, with higher catalyst amounts resulting in lower efficiency due to possible side reactions. FTIR analysis revealed the successful conversion of unsaturated fatty acids into epoxides, as indicated by the disappearance of alkene (C=C) peaks and the appearance of epoxy (C-O-C) peaks. The study confirms the catalytic potential of natural zeolite as a greener and reusable alternative to conventional homogeneous catalysts, supporting sustainable practices in bio-based chemical processes.