Hierarchical TS ‐1 for epoxidation of non‐edible Karanja ( Millettia pinnata ) oil methyl ester to methyl epoxioleate (biodiesel additive) in presence of H ₂ O ₂ as oxidizing agent

Abstract

Application of non‐edible Karanja (Millettia pinnata) oil which is abundantly available in India is not explored so far. The present study is an attempt to convert fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) obtained from Karanja oil to methyl epoxioleate over hierarchical titanosilicate (TS‐1) catalyst. Methyl epoxioleate, a biodiesel additive can blend up to 20% with biodiesels to improve oxidative stability and cold flow properties of biodiesel. A series of hierarchical TS‐1 were prepared by desilication of parent TS‐1 with 0.1 N NaOH at 80°C for 1, 3, 5, and 7 h, respectively. Samples were characterized by powder XRD, low temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption, and TEM. Eighty percent FAME conversion with 70% yield of methyl epoxioleate was obtained over 5H‐TS‐1 catalyst. The enhanced catalytic activity of a 5H‐TS‐1 compared to parent TS‐1 mainly attributed to the high mesoporosity coupled with well‐preserved crystallinity. 5H‐TS‐1 catalyst was found to be completely reusable after calcination at 500°C for 12 h. Hierarchical 5H‐TS‐1 catalyst for effective conversion of non‐edible Karanja oil methyl ester to methyl epoxioleate probably not reported so far.