Conversion of Isopropanol to Diisopropyl Ether over Cobalt Phosphate Modified Natural Zeolite Catalyst

This study aims to produce diisopropyl ether (DIPE) via isopropanol dehydration using cobalt-phosphate-supported natural zeolite catalysts. The catalytic activities of the zeolite/CoO and zeolite/Co(H 2 PO 4 ) 2 were compared. The asprepared catalysts were assessed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and N 2 adsorption-desorption. Surface acidity was determined using the gravimetric method with pyridine as the probe. The results of this study showed that natural zeolite was favorably impregnated by CoO and Co(H 2 PO 4 ) 2 species. The impregnation process affected the textural and acidic features of the catalysts. The zeolite/Co(H 2 PO 4 ) 2 catalyst with a loading of 8 mEq.g-1 exhibited the highest surface acidity of 1.827 mmol.g-1 . This catalyst also promoted the highest catalytic activity towards isopropanol dehydration, with an isopropanol conversion of 66.19%, DIPE selectivity, and yield of 46.72% and 34.99%, respectively. The cobalt phosphate species promoted higher catalytic activity for isopropanol dehydration than the CoO species. This study demonstrated the potential of cobalt phosphate-supported natural zeolite catalysts for DIPE production with adequate performance.