Catalytic Efficiency of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and Zeolite ZSM-5 Catalysts in the in-situ Epoxidation of Palm Olein

• Main Authors: Abd Gani, A. (Author), Abd Karim, S.F (Author), Jamaludin, S.K (Author), Mohd Yunus, M.Z (Author), Sauki, A. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Institute of Physics Publishing 2018
• Subjects: Agitation speed; Batch reactors; Catalysts; Catalytic efficiencies; Efficiency; Environmental-friendly; Epoxidation; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; Heterogeneous catalyst; In-situ epoxidations; Oxides; Palm oil; Performic acids; Semibatch reactor; Sustainable development; Titanium dioxide; Titanium dioxides (TiO2); Zeolites
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher; View in Scopus

 Titanium dioxide and zeolite ZSM-5 are the commonly used heterogeneous catalysts in many chemical reactions. They have several advantages such as low cost and environmental friendly. In this study, titanium dioxide and zeolite ZSM-5 act as catalyst in the in-situ epoxidation of palm olein. Epoxidation of palm olein was carried out by using in-situ generated performic acid to produce epoxidized palm olein in a semi-batch reactor at different temperatures (45°C and 60°C) and agitation speed of 400 rpm. The effects of both catalysts are studied to compare their efficiency in catalyzing the in-situ epoxidation. Epoxidized palm olein was analyzed by using percent of relative conversion to oxirane (RCO%) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Surface area of the catalysts used were then characterized by using BET. The results indicated that titanium dioxide is a better catalyst in the in-situ epoxidation of palm olein since it provides higher RCO% compared to Zeolite ZSM-5 at 45°C. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.