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Research Paper | Chemical and Process Engineering | Nigeria | Volume 12 Issue 7, July 2023 | Popularity: 4.4 / 10
Synthesis of Pure Desiccant Using Rice Husk from Nigeria
John Jones Ajali, Chukwunonso N. Onyenanu
Abstract: Rice husks are forms of agricultural biomass that provide abundant silicon source. They are widely burnt in agricultural fields or disposed indiscriminately because it is difficult to find other uses for them. Despite their non-commercial value and environmental pollution effects, they have ash content that is rich in silica (SiO2) and therefore could become good source of economic potential. This study utilized this agricultural biomass waste into valuable product, silica (desiccant). Desiccant, Silica (SiO2) was prepared by using rice husk ash (RHA) and as sources of silicate (SiO2). Then further reactions of the ash with NaOH at varying times of 1hr, 11/2 hrs, 2hrs, 21/2 hrs, and 3hrs were carried out to form Sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) solution. Then, titration of this solution with H2SO4 formed the precipitation of silica-gel. Acid pretreatment was carried out with HCl to remove impurities and other metallic substances. The pretreatment also enhanced the silica yield. Extracted precipitated silica was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), this also confirmed the presence of some functional groups such as the hydroxyl group and the carbon to carbon double bonds. The silica yield was discovered to increase with increase in time of reacting with NaOH. The percentage yield for RHA was obtained to be 79.20%, 87.78%, 93.64%, 94.00%, 97.60% at 1hr, 11/2 hrs, 2hrs, 21/2 hrs and 3hrs respectively. The absorption capacity is 20.45%. Also the average moisture content and average ash content are 8.7 and 23.47 respectively.
Keywords: Rice husk, silica, rice husk ash, desiccant, absorption capacity, synthesis
Edition: Volume 12 Issue 7, July 2023
Pages: 751 - 757
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