Understanding the catalytic performance and stability of titania-containing silica catalysts in methyl oleate epoxidation for sustainable biorefinery processes

Abstract Biomass is a renewable and eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels and can contribute substantially to achieve an efficient industrial symbiosis. Specifically, vegetable oils conversion to biofuels is an attractive alternative to fossil fuels. Methyl oleate-one of the commonly resourced fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from vegetable oils, can be converted to an epoxide product used in various industries. This study focuses on liquid-phase epoxidation of methyl oleate with hydrogen peroxide and silica-supported Ti-based catalysts. The sol–gel-SiO2-supported-Ti catalyst demonstrated higher catalytic activity compared to other supports (fumed-SiO2 or SBA-15) due to its increased surface area and presence of well-dispersed active sites. Additionally, the study found that the sol–gel preparation method resulted in greater stability than wet impregnation. Consequently, it was proved that the sol–gel-SiO2-supported-Ti catalyst is a suitable candidate for methyl oleate epoxidation reactions. This study identified key factors influencing catalyst performance in FAMEs epoxidation, paving way for improved catalyst design. Graphical Abstract