Fuel, Vol.236, 934-941, 2019
Diisopropyl ether production via 2-propanol dehydration using supported iron oxides catalysts
In this work, we studied the DIPE (C6H14O) production as an oxygenated compound from the catalytic performance of Fe and Cu oxides supported over alumina, on the 2-propanol dehydration reaction. The impregnation acidity effect was investigated. Samples at acid, moderately acidic, and basic pH were prepared. They were tested at 250 degrees C in a pilot micro-plant at atmospheric pressure. Catalytic results concluded the Fe3O4/gamma-Al2O3 impregnated to an acid pH showed the highest selectivity toward DIPE with adequate activity. All the catalysts at basic pH showed a complete selectivity to propylene (C3H6). The yield of DIPE on the acidity reflects that is a linear function, which is valuable for a more rational design of new catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by adsorption-desorption of N-2, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The correlation between the textural and morphological properties of our catalysts and their catalytic activity was discussed.