Synthesis of Epoxidized Canola Oil Using a Sulfated-SnO2 Catalyst

In the present investigation, a heterogeneous sulfated-SnO2 catalyst was synthesized and used for the epoxidation of unsaturation present in the canola oil. The physicochemical properties were studied to measure the surface and bulk properties of prepared SnO2 and sulfated-SnO2 samples. Process optimization studies were performed for parameters such as catalyst loading, ethylenic unsaturation in canola oil to hydrogen peroxide molar ratio, ethylenic unsaturation in canola oil to acetic acid molar ratio, and temperature. Sulfated-SnO2 demonstrated promising catalytic activity with 100% conversion of unsaturation in canola oil to epoxy canola oil in 6 h at optimum process conditions. Based on the experimental results and kinetic data, a Langmuir–Hinshelwood-Hougen-Watson type mechanism was proposed, and the reaction followed pseudo first order. Calculated energy of activation was 17.75 kcal/mol. The tribological properties of epoxy canola oil such as lubricity property in terms of wear scar length, kinematic viscosities, viscosity index, oxidative induction time, cloud point, and pour point were measured.