Study on SO42−/ZrO2-MoO3 in the integrative transformation of cottonseed oil deodorizing distillate

With the integrative transformation of non α-tocopherols, glycerides, free fatty acids, and methyl alcohol in cottonseed oil deodorizing distillate as the target reaction, we prepared highly catalytic SO42−/ZrO2-MoO3 solid acid catalyst by precipitation–wet impregnation. The optimal conditions for catalyst preparation were then determined by varying sulfuric acid concentration, MoO3 loading factor, calcination temperature, and calcination time. The structure of SO42−/ZrO2-MoO3 solid acid catalyst was then examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and other methods. Results show that the MoO3 loading factor (percentage weight ratio of MoO3 to ZrO2), impregnation concentration of sulfuric acid, and calcination temperature were the most important factors that influenced catalytic activity. The optimal conditions for catalyst preparation were an MoO3 loading factor of 20%, a sulfuric acid impregnation concentration of 0.75 mol/L, a calcination temperature of 550 °C, and a calcination time of 6 h. The obtained catalyst exhibited the highest catalytic activity under these conditions.