Catalytic dehydration of 2-propanol over nickel phosphide immobilized on natural bentonite

This study investigated the fabrication of nickel phosphide immobilized on natural bentonite (NiP/bentonite) as a low-cost catalyst with different metal loadings (mEq/g) to produce diisopropyl ether (DIPE) as a potential gasoline additive. The catalysts were prepared using a simple wet-impregnation method. The physicochemical features of the parent natural bentonite and NiP/bentonite were analyzed using FTIR, SEM–EDX, XRD, N2 physisorption, and catalyst acidity using the NH3 gravimetric method. The dehydration reaction was conducted under mild conditions (150 °C for 3 h) using a reflux system. The results suggested that the NiP species did not alter the bentonite structure while increasing its acidity and surface area properties. Using the 8 mEq/g NiP/bentonite catalyst, a DIPE product of 68.52% was achieved owing to the highly acidic sites of the catalyst and high stability over three cycles. This study highlights the potential of nickel-phosphide-supported natural bentonite in the dehydration reaction for DIPE production.