Effect of Reaction Time on Epoxidation Efficiency of Waste Cooking Oil

Finding novel sources of primal matter for use in the synthesis of biopolymer groups has become of utmost importance in recent years. Currently, waste materials with a high reuse possibility are being sought after in accordance with green chemistry and a circular economy. The valorization of waste cooking oil into valuable products has gained considerable attention as a sustainable approach. One of the most routes to obtain a bio-sourced co-polymer is the epoxidation, which is known for its long reaction time. The main aspect of our study is to investigate how varying the reaction time affects the characteristics of the obtained product, namely epoxidized waste cooking oil (EWCO) and to explore if is it possible to obtain a good oxirane number with a short reaction time. Based on the results of this study, the optimal conditions were the ratio: 1: 2: 2.4; double bonds:
$\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}_{2}$
: formic acid at a temperature of
$6 5^{\circ}\mathrm{C}$
; and 2 hours as an optimum reaction time which results to a maximum oxirane oxygen of 6.42%.